The Integration of Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converters in Multi-Use Maritime Structures

Ocean renewable energy (ORE) presents one of the most abundant, reliable, yet untapped sources of clean energy available to date. With a vast array of potential extraction possibilities including wave energy, tidal energy and ocean current energy, the evolvement of the technologies has not seen the same growth as other renewable energy sectors such as wind and solar. This lack of technological growth can be partially attributed to the high Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) currently associated with ocean renewable energy, which presents a measure of a power source over its operational lifetime relative to the average total associated costs. This factor, in culmination with the relatively low matureness of technologies compared to wind and solar, has impeded the development of full-scale or commercial ocean renewable energy concepts. One application devised to combat the high levelised cost of electricity associated with ocean renewable energy, specifically ocean wave energy is the implementation of wave energy converters (WECs) into pre-existing or in-development maritime structures, such as harbour seawalls or breakwaters. One promising wave energy converter technology for this application is the Oscillating Water Column.