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A LINEARIZED MODEL OF OWC DEVICES WITH ADDITIONAL VERTICAL DUCTS

Abstract

Under the hypothesis of random sea waves with Gaussian distribution, the paper proposes an original methodology for linearizing the differential equations governing the dynamics of a REWEC plant. This device can be easily embodied in a caisson breakwater, and consists of an OWC with an additional vertical duct in the wave-beaten side of the breakwater.

The methodology is applied to a plant with given geometry and turbine shape. The obtained average performance are compared with the results obtained by integrating in the time domain non-linear differential equations. The stochastic approach proves to be effective to estimate average power output, even at highest values of wave heights attacking the breakwater.