What Is the Wave Energy Converter (WEC) Capture Width Ratio Calculator?
The Capture Width Ratio (CWR) measures the hydrodynamic power absorption efficiency of wave energy machines.
How Does the Wave Energy Converter (WEC) Capture Width Ratio Calculator Work?
Compares absorbed power against the total wave energy flux passing through the device cross section.
Wave Energy Converter (WEC) Capture Width Ratio Calculator Formula & Variables
The core mathematical equation utilized by this calculator is expressed as:
C_w = \frac{P_{\text{abs}}}{P_{\text{wave}}}, \quad \text{CWR} = \frac{C_w}{B} = \frac{P_{\text{abs}}}{P_{\text{wave}} B}
Hydrodynamic capture width and non-dimensional capture width ratio.
How to Use the Wave Energy Converter (WEC) Capture Width Ratio Calculator
- Enter absorbed power, incident wave resource, and device characteristic width.
Step-by-Step Example Calculation
Point Absorber Buoy Efficiency
Input Values:
capturedMechanicalPowerKw:150
incidentWaveResourceKwPerM:35
deviceCharacteristicWidthMeters:10
Worked Steps: Yields capture width Cw = 4.29 m and Capture Width Ratio CWR = 42.9%.
Understanding Your Result
Outputs capture width in meters and capture width ratio as a percentage.
Factors That Affect the Result
- Resonant tuning between WEC natural frequency and incoming wave frequency maximizes CWR.
When Should You Use This Calculator?
- Benchmarking point absorbers, oscillating water columns (OWC), and attenuators.
Assumptions & Limitations
- Applies to steady-state time-averaged sea states; point absorbers can theoretically exceed 100% CWR via point absorption antenna effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Calculation Accuracy & Reference Note
Standard international metric per European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) and IEC standards.