Analytical modelling of an U-Oscillating Water Column and performance in random waves

The oscillating water column (OWC) technology is recognized as one of the most effective solutions for exploiting sea wave energy in a scenario including hundreds of promising devices. In this context, the novel U-OWC device has been recently introduced as a further development of the OWC. This device differs from the conventional OWC as it utilizes a small vertical U-duct for connecting the air pocket to the open wave field. The objective of this paper is to propose a consistent representation of the wave field interacting with the U-OWC in the context of a linearized theory of water waves and, then, an analytical description of the U-OWC dynamics. Such a representation overcomes the drawbacks of the analytical models proposed, at the present time, in the open literature. Moreover, it allows including memory effects previously neglected.