Thermodynamics and Morphodynamics in Wave Energy

This book examines the performance of oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converters. It discusses the influence of humid air inside the chamber and changes in the seabed, and also investigates the role of wave energy converters in coastal protection.

The authors use a real gas model to describe the thermodynamics of the air–water vapour mixture inside the chamber, and the compression and expansion process during the wave cycle. Further, they present an alternative formulation with new perspectives on the adiabatic process of the gaseous phase, including a modified adiabatic index, and subsequent modified thermodynamic state variables such as enthalpy, entropy and specific heat. The book also develops a numerical model using computational fluid dynamics to simulate OWC characteristics in open sea, and studies the performance of a linear turbine using an actuator disk model. It then compares the results from both cases to find an agreement between the analytical and numerical models when humidity is inserted in the gaseous phase.

Introducing new concepts to studies of wave energy to provide fresh perspectives on energy extraction and efficiency problems, the book is a valuable resource for researchers and industrial companies involved in thermal energy and coastal engineering. It is also of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students, as it broadens their view of wave energy.

Antonio Monino is an assistant professor of Marine Engineering at the University of Granada. With more than 20 years’ experience in hydraulic modelling and simulation in the field of fluid dynamics and marine engineering, he has published over 15 papers in peer-reviewed journals. He received his bachelor’s degree in Theoretical Physics, and during his PhD he studied processes involved in variable open flow. He has published works on wave energy conversion using OWC technology, including theoretical formulation of thermodynamic processes involved in power take off systems, and numerical/experimental simulation. He is currently leading research on OWC efficiency improvement, real gas thermodynamics in OWC energy conversion performance and numerical and experimental simulation of OWC converters. 

Encarni Medina-Lopez is a civil and environmental engineer specialising in marine energy. She is an expert in analytical and numerical modelling of wave energy converters. Her PhD focused on the analytical and numerical modelling of the thermodynamics of oscillating water columns. She is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the Policy and Innovation Group at the University of Edinburgh. She has been working on the development of combined techno-economic and life cycle analysis tools for wave energy devices, as well as on the validation and optimisation of numerical tools for ocean energy array modelling. She is also involved in outreach and community engagement programmes for marine energy.

Rafael J. Bergillos is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Granada. He has an MEng in Civil Engineering (2011), an MSc in Management Zones (2013), an MSc in Management of River Basins (2014) and a PhD in Environmental Hydraulics (2017). His main research interest is the study of the hydrodynamics, morphodynamics and management of coastal areas, combining analysis of experimental data and numerical modelling. He has published more than 10 papers in respected peer-reviewed journals and made several contributions to prestigious international conferences. He has been a visiting researcher in leading institutions around the globe, and is currently involved in several national and international R+D projects.

Maria Clavero is an assistant lecturer on Marine Engineering at the University of Granada. With a PhD in Civil Engineering, she has more than 15 years’ experience in the field of physical modelling, including wave energy conversion using OWC technology, wave–structure interaction, breakwater behaviour, air–sea interaction and wind engineering. She is the author of numerous publications in these research fields, with over 10 papers in peer-reviewed journals and several papers in the proceedings of prestigious international conferences. She has been involved in R+D projects for the Spanish Government and European Commission. For the last 10 years, she has been head of the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Laboratory at the University of Granada.

Alistair Borthwick is a professor of Applied Hydrodynamics at the University of Edinburgh, an Emeritus Fellow at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, and holds adjunct professorships at Peking University and NUI Galway. He was head of Civil & Environmental Engineering at University College Cork from 2011–13, where he was the founding director of the SFI Centre for Marine Renewable Energy Ireland. Alistair was the founding chairman of the editorial board of the ICE Journal of Engineering and Computational Mechanics. He has almost 40 years’ engineering experience. His research interests include environmental fluid mechanics, flood risk management, coastal processes, offshore engineering, and marine renewable energy.

Miguel Ortega-Sanchez is an associate professor of Coastal Engineering at the University of Granada with more than 15 years’ experience in the field of coastal morphodynamics, and has published over 30 papers in peer-reviewed journals. He has an MSc in Civil Engineering and during his PhD he studied large-scale coastal features. He has published works on coastal morphodynamics, combining field data, theoretical analysis and numerical models. He is currently leading different R+D projects involving nearshore waves, sediment transport, shoreline dynamics and coastal management techniques. He is also the head of the Environmental Hydraulics Master’s Program at his University.