Scaled model tests are an important step during the research and development of wave
energy converters (WECs). While such scaled model tests in physical wave tanks are
prone to undesired scaling effects due to e.g. mechanical artefacts and/or fluid effects,
numerical wave tanks (NWTs) provide excellent tools for the analysis of WECs across
a range of scales, overcoming the limitations of the physical test environment. Simultaneous
scaling based on the Froude and Reynolds number is achievable in physical wave tanks
only with significant effort, whereas NWTs allow the adjustment of fluid properties,
such as viscosity, in an easy manner, thereby catering for Froude and Reynolds similarity.
This study exploits the capabilities of a high-fidelity, computational fluid dynamics
based, NWT and investigates the hydrodynamic scaling effects for the heaving buoy
Wavestar WEC. Various test cases, relevant for WEC applications and with progressively
increasing complexity, are considered to develop a comprehensive understanding of
the scaling effects. Results show that significant scaling effects occur for the viscous
component of the hydrodynamic loads on the WEC hull, while the system dynamics and
total (viscous + pressure) loads are relatively unaffected by scaling effects. (C)
2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.
