Measurements of overtopping flow time series on the Wave Dragon, wave energy converter

A study of overtopping flow series on the Wave Dragon prototype, a low crested device designed to maximise flow, in a real sea, is presented. This study aims to fill the gap in the literature on time series of flow overtopping low crested structures. By comparing to a simulated flow the characteristics of the overtopping flow are discussed and the simulation algorithm is tested. Measured data is shown from a storm build up in October 2006, from the Wave Dragon prototype situated in an inland sea in Northern Denmark. This wave energy converter extracts energy from the waves, by funnelling them to run-up a ramp and overtop into a reservoir. This water is stored at a higher level than the average sea surface, before being discharged through hydro turbines. The waves, device sea handling and overtopping flow are measured by pressure transducers ahead of, beneath and in the device. Comparisons of the distribution and correlation show that the measurements support the use of the algorithm for generating a simulated flow. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.