Analyzing wave dragon under different wave heights using flow-3D: A computational fluid dynamics approach

Wave energy is an increasingly attractive renewable energy source due to its
potential and predictability. VariousWave Energy Converters (WECs) have been developed,
including attenuators, overtopping devices, and point absorbers. The Wave Dragon, an
overtopping device, is a floating structure anchored to the seabed with a mooring system.
It uses two reflectors to guide incoming waves into a central reservoir, where the captured
water flows through turbines to generate electricity. This study enhances the realism of
Wave Dragon simulations by modeling it as a moving structure with moorings, addressing
key gaps in prior research. Real-time wave data from the Caspian Sea, collected over a year,
were used to develop a 3D model and analyze the device’s performance under varying
wave conditions. Four significant wave heights (Hs) of 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 m were tested.
The results demonstrate that higher wave heights increase water flow through the turbines,
leading to higher energy output, with monthly energy generation recorded as 16.03, 25.95,
31.45, and 56.5 MWh for the respective wave heights. The analysis also revealed that higher
wave heights significantly increase pressure forces on the Wave Dragon, from 2.97 × 105 N
at 1.5 m to 1.95 × 106 N at 4.5 m, representing a 6.5-fold increase. These findings underscore
the potential of Wave Dragons to enhance renewable energy production while ensuring
structural robustness in varying wave conditions.