Thesis proposals

TEST TYPETOPICTITLEDESCRIPTIONADVISOR/REFERENCENOTESATTACHED
Master thesisOffshore wind energyDevelopment of Operational and Maintenance strategies for Floating Offshore Wind Farms in the Mediterranean SeaDevelopment of Operational and Maintenance strategies for Floating Offshore Wind Farms in the Mediterranean Seagiuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
alberto.ghigo@polito.it
giovanni.bracco@polito.it
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Master thesisOffshore wind energyDevelopment of a new wind speed profile for large offshore wind turbinesDevelopment of a new wind speed profile for large offshore wind turbinesgiuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
alberto.ghigo@polito.it
giovanni.bracco@polito.it
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Master thesisBusiness model for coastal protectionBusiness case and competitor analysis of sustainable submerged breakwatersBreakwaters are essential for coastal protection to prevent coastal erosion. However, existing technologies may be costly and/or have negative environmental impacts. This thesis investigates the business opportunity for an innovative submerged breakwater, including the production of a business model, a competitor analysis, and a quantification of impacts.
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.itManagement Engineering
Master thesisWave energy conversionWave Energy Converters systematic modelling for techno-economic performance assessmentWave energy converters (WECs), are expected contribute to the clean energy transition. Due to the diversity of installation sites, sea state conditions, and user requirements, a wide variety of working principles exist. Therefore, it may be difficult to fairly compare different WECs. An additional challenge is the mathematical modelling approach, seldom standardized, and the choice of appropriate comparison metrics. The purpose of this thesis, related to a project funded by the European Commission, is to implement a portfolio of different and most recent/popular WECs, focusing on producing comparable results, informative for the decision-making process. The following highlights and steps are foreseen:

- Use the new industrial-standard simulation tool called WEC-Sim, considering 4 different WECs
- Improve WEC-Sim models with optimal control, based on a recent toolbox, and compare the resulting performance with more traditional control strategies
- Include a parametric description of costs to reach a techno-economic description of the device, and potential alternative design reconfigurations.
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
nicolas.faedo@polito.it
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Master thesisFloating Solar PhotovoltaicFloating offshore solar photovoltaic systems: modelling and techno-economic assessmentSolar Photovoltaic (PV) has become one of the cheapest technology to produce renewable energy.
However, among the challenges to a pervasive implementation there are the use of land, subtracted to
other stakeholders. Floating PV systems are an interesting alternative, with additional benefits of water
cooling and higher efficiency. While already advanced for small enclosed water basins, more innovative
ambitious applications are offshore at sea.
Within activities related to a project funded by the European Commission, this thesis aims at:
- Implement a numerical model for the dynamics, structural integrity, and performance of floating
offshore solar PV systems
- Embed an appropriate parametrization to evaluate design alternatives for different installation
sites
- Define and evaluate techno-economic metrics related to the productivity, costs, and consequent
livelised cost of energy
alberto.ghigo@polito.it
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
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Master thesis - potentially abroadTidal Energy ConvertersTidal energy converters: modelling and techno-economic assessmentTidal energy is one of the most predictable sources of renewable energy, since it is related to astronomical
cycles. Moreover, tidal energy turbines are among the most mature ocean energy technologies.
However, the decision-making process necessitates of comparable techno-economic metrics, hence not
only productivity, but also capital and operational costs.
Within activities related to a project funded by the European Commission, this thesis aims at:
- Implement a numerical model for the dynamics, structural integrity, and performance of tidal
energy turbines
- Embed an appropriate parametrization to evaluate design alternatives for different installation
sites
- Define and evaluate techno-economic metrics related to the productivity, costs, and consequent
livelised cost of energy
The thesis is developed, abroad or remotely, in collaboration with Dr. Christian Windt, research fellow
at the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany.
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
c.windt@tu-braunschweig.de
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Master thesisWave energy conversionWave Energy Converters control-informed shape optimisation: the influence of nonlinear hydrodynamic modellingWave energy converters (WECs), are expected contribute to the clean energy transition. Shape optimisation is crucial to obtain an effective design The effectiveness of the optimisation depends on the fidelity of the numerical model; however, accurate numerical models are usually too slow to fit within an optimisation loop. In addition, it is important to include, to some extent, an energy-maximisation control strategy early in the design and optimisation stage.

This thesis aims to implement a computationally convenient numerical model, developed within an Horizon Europe Marie-Curie project and available in https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4682671, to study the impact of numerical model accuracy on shape optimisation. A simplified constrained energy-maximisation control strategy is embedded in the model. Firstly, a simple truncated cone is considered as archetypal shape; then, a more generic spline curve is considered as basis for the axysimmetric geometry of the WEC.
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.itSee attachmentPDF description
Master thesisWave energy conversionParametric resonance in a 2:1 Wave Energy Converter: investigating the feasibility of the design spaceThe effort to increase the converted power is a common challenge in the field of wave energy conversion, both academic and industrial. When devices are found to be prone to parametric resonance, it typically has a negative impact on power harvesting and survivability. However, parametric resonance may not a danger to be avoided, but rather a chance to achieve a broader response bandwidth and ultimately increase the amount of power available at the power take-off. Parametric resonance is caused by a time-varying wetted surface, so linear models are unable to capture this instability; therefore, nonlinear Froude-Krylov forces should implemented via a computationally effective method that is compatible with both exhaustive simulation and real-time computing. A novel pendulum-based device is intentionally but arbitrarily defined to exhibit a 2:1 ratio between heave and pitch natural frequencies. Results demonstrate that, by using the designed attitude to develop parametric instability, a second region of meaningful response develops near the heave natural period, in addition to the linear resonance in pitch. Thus, the free response bandwidth is increased, making more energy available at the power take-off axis.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the design space in order to determine the conditions to actually achieve the 2:1 parametric resonance condition. Consequently, the performance and potential of feasible devices is analysed.
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.itSee attachmentPDF description
Master thesisWave energy conversionNonlinear model of a floating wave energy converter for the international collaborative study EIA-OES Task 10The International Energy Agency Technology Collaboration Programme for Ocean Energy Systems (OES) initiated the OES Wave Energy Conversion Modelling Task, which focused on the verification and validation of numerical models for simulating wave energy converters (WECs). The long-term goal is to assess the accuracy of and establish confidence in the use of numerical models used in design as well as power performance assessment of WECs. To establish this confidence, the authors used different existing computational modelling tools to simulate given tasks to identify uncertainties related to simulation methodologies: (i) linear potential flow methods; (ii) weakly nonlinear Froude–Krylov methods; and (iii) fully nonlinear methods (fully nonlinear potential flow and Navier–Stokes models).

The purpose of this thesis is to refine the expand the implementation of a computationally efficient nonlinear Froude-Krylov model, to be compared with experimental data obtained from the Aalborg Wave Tank. Wave excitation tests are first considered, with eventual expansion to free decay and wave excitation. Potentially, results may be compared with WEC-Sim implementation, performing mesh convergence and sensitivity tests.
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the design space in order to determine the conditions to actually achieve the 2:1 parametric resonance condition. Consequently, the performance and potential of feasible devices is analysed.
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.itSee attachmentPDF description
Master thesisWave energy conversionEarth observation satellites for offshore wave and wind applicationsThe role of monitoring and data gathering in science and technology is continuously increasing. Within this context, the proposed research considers the use of earth observation satellites, especially in the field of ocean monitoring, needed for design and operation of offshore renewable energy systems.

Satellite data have a wider spatial coverage with respect to in-situ measurements, but generally have low revisit time and inaccurate results close to shore. This thesis aims at investigating the performance, mainly in terms of accuracy and resolution, of satellite data, as well as their compatibility with offshore engineering applications, rather than climate change monitoring. In addition, satellite measurements will be compared with co-located in-situ data: a sensitivity analysis will include the influence of the distance threshold for the spatial co-location, and the time-window for the temporal co-location, which is related to the stationary of the underlying stochastic process.

This thesis is performed in collaboration with MESPAC, which is a young innovative start-up, as well as spin-off of Politecnico di Torino.
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.itSee attachmentPDF description
Master thesisWave energy conversionLPV modelling and control of wave energy conversion systemsIn the pathway towards building control-oriented models for wave energy conversion systems, a number of potentially limiting standing assumptions are often adopted. These modelling hypothesis, which aim at simplying the dynamical description of the wave energy conversion system, inherently introduce a large degree of uncertainty in the control design problem. This project will explore the use of linear parameter varying (LPV) representations for WEC systems in order to achieve robust performance for controllers aiming at maximising energy extraction from the wave resource. LPV systems feature a closed-form representation of a system in terms of a set of scheduling parameters, offering the possibility of incorporating dynamical behaviour which is often neglected in purely linear models.nicolas.faedo@polito.itSee attachmentPDF description
Master thesisWave energy conversionData-based modelling of nonlinear hydrodynamics for wave energy conversion systemsBeing the Navier-Stokes equations the starting point for wave energy conversion modelling, computing control oriented models can be a daunting task. As a matter of fact, recently, a particular class of wave-induced nonlinear effects has been deemed to be particularly relevant for controlled devices. This project will explore the use of data-based modelling for to compute parsimonious dynamical representations of WEC systems, based on mid-fidelity solvers. The resulting models will be used both for analysis and optimal control purposes.nicolas.faedo@polito.it
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
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Master thesisWave energy conversionModel reduction by least-squares moment-matching for control of wave energy conversion systemsBeing the Navier-Stokes equations the starting point for wave energy conversion modelling, computing control-oriented models can be a daunting task. As such, tools from the field of model reduction have been recently applied, to provide dynamical structures which feature a simplied form compatible with real-time control requirements, while still representing the main dynamics of the WEC system. This project will explore the use of model reduction techniques by moment-matching, in a least squares sense. Moment-matching-based models are essentially interpolating structures, which can match the steady-state output of a given target model, for a defined class of input signals. These reduced models have the capabilities of representing both short- and long-term WEC behaviour, being ideal for control and performance assessment purposes, respectively.nicolas.faedo@polito.it
fabio.carapellese@polito.it
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Master thesisWave energy conversionParametric modelling of wave energy converters via data-based interpolation/extra olationSince geometry can be a key parameter within optimisation of wave energy converter design, and standard modelling techniques are shape-dependent, fast and reliable numerical modelling for different geometries is of paramount importance to achieve effcient iterative loops for performance enhancement. In the light of this requirement, and based on finite-dimensional output data computed with standard hydrodynamic codes, this project will aim at providing interpolation-based techniques to tackle effcient wave energy converter modelling for use within optimisation procedures. Static and dynamic structures will be considered for interpolation (and extrapolation) of hydrodynamics, based on standard techniques from the field of function approximation.nicolas.faedo@polito.it
bruno.paduano@polito.it
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Master thesisOffshore windArtificial Intelligence for Offshore WindDescrizione Breve: The focus of the master's thesis is to create an artificial intelligence that can predict the dynamics of an offshore wind system under different marine weather conditions. The training of the artificial intelligence will be conducted using simulation data obtained from numerical simulations performed with dedicated software. After the training of the AI its accuracy will be tested and if necessary improved. The AI will be implemented in MATLAB environment.francesco.niosi@polito.it
oronzo.delledera@polito.it
giovanni.bracco@polito.it
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
See attachmentAI for Offshore Wind
Master thesisWave and wind energyWave field interactions of very large wind/wave energy arraysThe thesis will consider the disturbance of wave energy converter arrays of offshore wind turbine farms on the surrounding wave field. The interaction theory will be used to overcome the computational limitations of very large arrays.giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
francesco.niosi@polito.it
beatrice.battisti@polito.it
Master thesisEnergy system modellingSupporting the implementation of long-term energy system models: towards a Typical Energy Year approachMulti-year energy system models are generally used to study the medium- to long-term transition to a clean and affordable energy supply. Nevertheless, time-series of power demand and renewable energy sources are generally maintained constant along the years, despite their considerable variation in real world. In this view, some approaches have been proposed to make use of the consolidated “Typical Meteorological Year”, which consists in the study of time-series over several past years and to the identification of representative months. However, such approach exclusively takes into account meteorological time-series.
The thesis work aims to study the state-of-the-art of the above mentioned field and develop a new methodology for the identification of a “Typical Energy Year”, capable of highlighting the most suitable representative periods (e.g. months, weeks) taking into account the productivity of renewable energy sources and the variability of power consumption. The developed methodology will be applied to the case study of the energy transition of a small italian island.
enrico.giglio@polito.it
giuliana.mattiazzo@polito.it
Master thesisEnergy system modellingWind energy instantaneous penetration: an optimization strategyThe share of renewable energy has increased in recent years, reaching almost 50% or even more in many countries. Consequently, the role of variable renewable energy sources (VRES) is also increasing, and to use this power storage systems are necessary to reduce the uncertainty associated with the variability of the sources. In fact, the intermittency in the production could lead to instability of the grid in terms of frequency and voltage, and the storage system acts as a buffer between the generation side and the load side. However, the storage system cannot be the only solution to the problem of variability of the RES. Rather, various optimization strategy can be used to increase the percentage of power that can be feed directly from the VRES technologies, without the need for a storage system.
This work focuses on wind turbines and aims to show how developments in this technology have affected power variability and instantaneous penetration. Once the framework is clarified, a strategy will be developed to optimize the instantaneous share instead of just generating electricity.
enrico.giglio@polito.it
giuliana.mattiazzo@polito.it
Master thesisWave and wind energyArray design and livelised cost of energy of wave farms and offshore wind farmsThe MORE-EST Wave and Wind Energy platform is a web-based tool that provides techno-economic evaluation of wave energy converters and offshore wind turbines in European waters. This thesis will advance the development of the platform, analysing appropriate array configurations, w.r.t. external constraints such as bathymetry and ship traffic, and estimate capital and operational expenditures, as well as productivity potential, for any given area of the European Seas. Knowledge of phyton and GIS is encouraged. Relevant material can be found in the DTOcean Plus project documentation.giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
riccardo.novo@polito.it
giulia.cervelli@polito.it
Electric Engineering
Energy Engineering
Mechatronics
Mechanical Engineering
Master thesisWaveLeveraging parametric resonance to enhance wave energy extraction.A floating wave energy converter is a device that moves in response to incoming waves. Usually, only the linear resonance is condition is taken into account for the power maximisation. By using a computationally efficient nonlinear Froude-Krylov force calculation approach (doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4682671), nonlinear parametric resonance can be articulated and exploited to enlarge the energy absorption bandwidth.giuseppe.giorgi@polito.itMechatronics
Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Master thesisFloating islandsDevelopment of a multi-body hydrodynamic interaction framework: Floating islands case studyThe scope of the thesis concerns the technological development of interconnected floating platforms for residential use. The goal of the thesis activity is the development of mathematical and numerical models for studying the hydrodynamic interaction of interconnected floating platforms. Subsequently, optimization and preliminary design of modular housing platforms and their connections will be carried out. This thesis activity is part of the "Seaform" project studying the feasibility of creating communities on floating artificial islands (https://www.seaform.it/)sergej.sirigu@polito.itMechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, mathematics Engineering, Physics of complex systems
Master thesisFloating islandsNumerical analysis and design of a connection system based on elastomeric material: floating islands case studyThe scope of the thesis concerns the numerical study and design of a connection system based on elastomeric material for the connection of floating platforms for residential use. Objectives of the thesis are:
- functional design of a connection based on elastomeric material
- numerical modeling (FEM) of the elastomeric connection
- mechanical design of the connection


The thesis activity is part of the "Seaform" project, which studies the feasibility of creating communities on floating artificial islands (https://www.seaform.it/)
sergej.sirigu@polito.itMechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil engineering
Master thesisFloating islandsNumerical modelling and design of floating breakwatersThe thesis topic concerns numerical modeling and design of floating breakwaters for the protection of future floating cities. Objectives of the thesis are:
- Development of the numerical model of floating breakwaters: hydrodynamic interaction and moorings
- Definition of system performance
- Optimization and design of the floating breakwater


This thesis activity is part of the "Seaform" project, which studies the feasibility of creating communities on artificial floating islands (https://www.seaform.it/)
sergej.sirigu@polito.itMechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil engineering
Master thesisFloating islandsDesign of a water ballast management system and its control for offshore floating structuresThe topic of this thesis is the design of a water ballast management system for application on offshore floating structures. These systems consist of the presence of several water-containing ballasts within floating structures, the control of which allows the adjustment of the buoyancy of these structures. Objectives of the thesis are:

- development of a mechatronic model for the simulation of the water ballast management system
- study and synthesis of a control logic of such a system for the adjustment of the buoyancy of floating structures

This thesis activity is part of the "Seaform" project, which studies the feasibility of creating communities on floating artificial islands (https://www.seaform.it/)
sergej.sirigu@polito.itMechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, mechatronics engineering
Master thesisWaveBuilding a wave energy converter database for a GIS-based decision platformA GIS-based decision platform is available for the optimal selection of wave energy converters in a given site, under a techno-economic point of view. This thesis aims at improving the technology database, by generating power production matrices via constrainted optimal control strategies, and investigating appropriate proxies or indicators for capital costs.giuseppe.giorgi@polito.itMechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, mechatronics engineering
Master thesisWind/WaveHydrodynamics modelling of wind-wave devices.Inclusion of the computation of the hydrodynamic coefficients using the open-source Capytaine in the in-house code MOST for the simulation of floating wind turbines.alberto.ghigo@polito.it
emilio.faraggiana@polito.it
massimo.sirigu@polito.it
giovanni.bracco@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Tesi TriennaleWindResource assessmentThe purpose of the thesis is to analyze the meteorological wave and wind data for an offshore site off the island Pantelleria. The aim is to estimate the wind productivity of the site and to understand the feasibility of floating offshore wind projectsalberto.ghigo@polito.it
emilio.faraggiana@polito.it
massimo.sirigu@polito.it
giovanni.bracco@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Master thesisWindTechno-economic analysis of floating wind turbine farmDevelopment of a numerical code which accounts a detailed computation of main economic cost of a floating wind turbine farm from a scientific literature researchalberto.ghigo@polito.it
emilio.faraggiana@polito.it
massimo.sirigu@polito.it
giovanni.bracco@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Master thesisWindWind farm modellingDevelopment of a numerical code in MATLAB to account the effect of aerodynamic interactions between the wind turbines and estimate the power production (reference code: WASP).alberto.ghigo@polito.it
emilio.faraggiana@polito.it
massimo.sirigu@polito.it
giovanni.bracco@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Master thesisWindStructural modelling of wind turbine bladesStructural modelling and mechanical stress analysis of a wind turbine blades using the open-source SONATA.massimo.sirigu@polito.it
emilio.faraggiana@polito.it
alberto.ghigo@polito.it
giovanni.bracco@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Tesi TriennaleWindLife Cycle AssessmentThe aim of the thesis is to describe the Life Cycle Assessment of a wind turbine, focusing in particular on the device dismantling and the recycling problem of bladesalberto.ghigo@polito.it
emilio.faraggiana@polito.it
massimo.sirigu@polito.it
giovanni.bracco@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Tesi TriennaleWindWake analysisDescribe the problem of wakes in a wind farm: what are the consequences in terms of productivity? How are losses estimated ? What are the most common layout solutions to overcome this problem?alberto.ghigo@polito.it
emilio.faraggiana@polito.it
massimo.sirigu@polito.it
giovanni.bracco@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Master thesisWaveDynamic simulation of an innovative wave energy converter, based on gyroscopic effectsDevelopment of a numerical model of the electro-mechanical conversion system, using Matlab and/or SimMechanics and/or WEC-Sim. Analysis of the productivity and parametric optimization of the most important features of the device.giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
sergej.sirigu@polito.it
fabio.carapellese@polito.it
Mechatronics
Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Master thesisWaveDynamical analysis of an inertial wave energy converterThesis in Budapest, Hungary.

More information at: https://www.mm.bme.hu/pages/temak/view_en.php?id=134
habib@mm.bme.hu
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
Mechatronics
Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Master thesis - AbroadWave/windThesis 2
in/with Mondragón University
Thesis in Mondragón, Basque country, Spain.

Structural integrity of Marine Renewable Energy Devices: Extreme loading

See Attachment
mpenalba@mondragon.edu
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Mondragon-Penalba-P2
Master thesis - AbroadWave/windThesis 3
in/with Mondragón University
Thesis in Mondragón, Basque country, Spain.

Structural integrity of Marine Renewable Energy Devices: Fatigue effects

See Attachment
mpenalba@mondragon.edu
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Mondragon-Penalba-P3
Master thesis - AbroadWaveThesis 4
in/with Mondragón University
Thesis in Mondragón, Basque country, Spain.

Wave Energy Converter Array Modelling via Harmonic Balance Methods

See Attachment
mpenalba@mondragon.edu
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Mondragon-Penalba-P4
Master thesis - AbroadWindThesis 5
in/with Mondragón University
Thesis in Mondragón, Basque country, Spain.

Hidro-Aerolaestic Modelling for +10 MW floating Offshore wind turbines: Evaluation of Uncertainties in wind turbulence intensity

See Attachment
mpenalba@mondragon.edu
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Mondragon-Penalba-P5
Master thesis - AbroadWindThesis 6
in/with Mondragón University
Thesis in Mondragón, Basque country, Spain.

Design of a health-informed hidro-aeroelastic model for Offshore wind turbines: Impact of blade erosion, gearbox and electrical generator faults

See Attachment
mpenalba@mondragon.edu
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Mondragon-Penalba-P6
Master thesis - AbroadWaveThesis 9
in/with Mondragón University
Thesis in Mondragón, Basque country, Spain.

Nonlinear Hydrodynamic Modelling for the SparBuoy

See Attachment
mpenalba@mondragon.edu
giuseppe.giorgi@polito.it
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
GIORGI - Code-to-Code Nonlinear Hydrodynamic Modelling verification for WECs - WEC-Sim vs. NLFK4ALL - 2021
Master thesisElectric boatDeveloping a static and
dynamic Velocity Prediction
Programm (VPP)
for a zero emission raceboat
Nonlinear dynamics and optimizationmauro.bonfanti@polito.itAerospace Engineeringelectric_boat_T1
Triennale/MasterSoftwarePipeline beetween a 
computational fluid dynamics 
software and Simulink for 
multiphysic simulation  
software coupling for multiphysic simulationpietro.casalone@polito.itInformatic Engineering Pipeline beetween a computational fluid dynamic software and Simulink for multiphysic simulation
Master thesis - Potentially abroadWaveHigh-fidelity Numerical Modelling of a Wave
Energy Converter
Development of a numerical parametric wave tank for WECs in OpenFOAM beatrice.battisti@polito.itAerospace Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
CFD_thesis_OF