Development of a numerical modelling tool for combined near field and far field wave transformations using a coupling of potential flow solvers

Wave energy converters (WECs) need to be deployed in large numbers in an array layout in order to have a significant power production. Each WEC has an impact on the incoming wave field, diffracting, reflecting and radiating waves. Simulating the wave transformations within and around a WEC farm is complex; it is difficult to simulate both near field and far field effects with a single numerical model, with relatively fast computing times.

Within this research a numerical tool is developed to model near-field and far-field wave transformations caused by WECs. The tool is based on the coupling of a wave-structure interaction solver and a wave propagation model, both based on the potential flow theory. This paper discusses the coupling method and illustrates the functionality with a proof-of-concept.

Additionally, a projection of the evolution of the numerical tool is given. It can be concluded that the coupling of the two solvers is an efficient and promising numerical tool to perform simulations on near – and far field wave elevations and kinematics nearby WEC farms.