Numerical simulation of a Point Absorber type wave energy converter in the coastal area of Chorrillos

Francesca Sulca Díaz M.; América Flores Chavez J.; Canziani Amico F. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2026) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2026.1.1.1423

Resumen

The Peruvian coast presents a high potential for wave energy that has not yet been specifically evaluated for small coastal users, such as artisanal fishing associations, particularly in the Chorrillos area. This work evaluates the technical feasibility of a Point Absorber wave energy converter using numerical simulation in MATLAB/WEC-Sim, with the RM3 reference model and representative wave scenarios defined from statistical percentiles. As a case study, real electricity consumption data from the José Silverio Olaya Balandra Association and wave records from 2024 were used. The results indicate that the system can achieve an approximate electricity production of 1165,36 kWh per month, which would cover approximately 43,99 % of the analyzed user's electricity demand. Additionally, a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of 1,02 USD/kWh was estimated, highlighting the current economic limitations of the technology in its development stage. The study provides a preliminary technical evaluation, based on site-specific numerical modeling, that demonstrates the potential of wave energy as a complementary renewable source for coastal communities in Peru.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas