CFD investigation of hydrodynamic interaction and optimal spacing in a three-body point absorber wave energy converter array

The hydrodynamic study of multiple arrays of point-absorber wave energy converters is carried out. The aim is to determine the optimum interfloat spacing between wave energy converters to maximize the array's performance. Multiple factors are examined at different wave heights and different spacing ratios: Response Amplitude Operator (RAO), Harmonic Ratio (HR), phase difference, interaction factor (q-factor), absorbed power, and Capture Width Ratio (CWR). Based on the three body simulations of point absorber wave energy converter and wave conditions, L/D = 1.5 is identified as the overall optimal interfloat spacing, where the system displays enhanced motion response RAO ≈ 1.17 , has a moderate HR nonlinearity around HR ≈ 0.125 and a phase difference of approximately Δ φ ≈ − 169 ° , providing a favorable phase alignment for efficient energy extraction. Considering the combined effects of hydrodynamic coupling, nonlinear response, phase relationship, absorbed power, and CWR across the wave conditions studied, L/D = 1.5 is also identified as the overall optimal spacing for the present three-body configurations. This work provides a framework for the hydrodynamic design and optimization of point absorber WEC arrays operating under nonlinear wave conditions.