Effect of the PTO damping force on the wave pressures on a 2-D wave energy converter

The information of the wave loads on a wave energy device in operational waves is required for designing an efficient wave energy system with high survivability. It is also required as a reference for numerical modeling. In this paper, a novel system, which integrates an oscillating wave energy converter with a pile-restrained floating breakwater, is experimentally investigated in a 2-D wave flume. The measurements of the wave pressure on the wet-surface of the device are made as the function of the power take-off (PTO) damping force. It is shown that the wave pressure is significantly affected by the PTO system, in particular, at the edges, and the wave pressure varies under different wave conditions. From the results, conclusions can be drawn on how the PTO damping force and wave conditions affect the loads on the device, which is of engineering concern for constructing safe and reliable devices.