SOME HYDRODYNAMIC ASPECTS OF ARRAYS OF WAVE-ENERGY DEVICES

A large-scale wave-power station will have a number of devices in rela tively close proximity to each other. Consequently, there will be hydr odynamic interactions between neighbouring devices which may modify si gnificantly the power absorption characteristics of a given device rel ative to its performance in isolation. In this paper a brief review is given of existing theory concerned with rigid-body device arrays and some new calculations presented for arrays able to absorb power throug h heave or surge motions. Among the points considered are the improvem ent of performance from the unequal spacing of devices and the effects of constraining the amplitudes of device motions.