Dual-Function WEC-Breakwater: Integrating Coastal Protection and Clean Energy Harvesting towards Net Zero

Faculty of Hydraulic Engineering The University of Danang - University of Science and Technology Danang, Vietnam This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Faculty of E-commerce, Faculty of Statistics and Informatics The University of Danang - University of Economics Danang, Vietnam This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Faculty of Architecture The University of Danang - University of Science and Technology Danang, Vietnam This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Faculty of Electrical Engineering The University of Danang - University of Science and Technology Danang, Vietnam This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

This study proposes a multifunctional coastal breakwater system that integrates wave attenuation, shoreline protection, and wave energy harvesting to generate renewable electricity for coastal applications. The system is developed for the coastal conditions of Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, where monsoon waves and storms impose large hydrodynamic loads on nearshore structures. Unlike conventional vertical breakwaters, which mainly reflect waves, the proposed system redistributes wave energy into reduced reflection, passive dissipation, and useful mechanical energy absorption. A three-dimensional numerical simulation based on the VOF (Volume of Fluid)) method is used to evaluate wave– structure interaction, pressure distribution, and hydrodynamic loads. The results show that the energy-absorbing breakwater can reduce the reflection coefficient by about 20–30% and wave loads by about 15–25% compared with a conventional breakwater. The absorbed energy is converted into electricity through a hydraulic PTO (Power Take-Off) system and a wave-to-wire architecture using a PMSG (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator) generator and an AC– DC–AC circuit. The system shows the potential to form sustainable coastal infrastructure that integrates wave attenuation, load reduction, and renewable power generation.