Numerical Investigation of Wave Power on the JONSWAP Spectrum in Deep and Finite Waters

Mehrshad Seraj^1, , Hassan Ghassemi^{2, 3} and Jabbar Firouzi¹

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imam Khomeini Naval University, Nowshahr, Iran

²Marine Hydrokinetic Energy Group. Department of Maritime Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (AUT), Tehran, Iran

³School of Ocean Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Weihai, China

Cite this paper:
Mehrshad Seraj, Hassan Ghassemi and Jabbar Firouzi. Numerical Investigation of Wave Power on the JONSWAP Spectrum in Deep and Finite Waters. American Journal of Energy Research. 2026; 14(1):117-123. doi: 10.12691/ajer-14-1-2

Abstract

A comprehensive numerical investigation of ocean wave power characteristics based on the JONSWAP spectrum was carried out using MATLAB simulations. The study evaluates spectral moments, characteristic wave periods, and depth-dependent energy transmission for different peak enhancement factor (γ) under both deep and finite water conditions. In addition to irregular sea states represented by the JONSWAP spectrum, regular (monochromatic) wave components were also analyzed to compare their power propagation behavior. Both spectral integration and the approximate formula were implemented to estimate the wave power across a wide range of depths. The computed results demonstrate that increasing γ leads to a narrower and more energetic spectrum, significantly affecting mean wave periods and power potential. Furthermore, the wave celerity modification coefficient (C_h). The outcomes reveal a strong correlation between spectral shape, wave regularity, and power transmission, providing valuable insights for accurate assessment of wave energy resources and design optimization of wave energy converters.

Keywords:
Wave power JONSWAP spectrum deep and finite water spectral moments wave celerity modification

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Rasool S., Muttaqi K. M., Sutanto D., and Iqbal S., Modeling ocean waves and investigation of ocean wave spectra for wave-to-wire system, Journal of Engineering Research, vol. 12, no. 1, p. 51, 2021.
[2]	Guo Q. and Xu Z., Simulation of deep-water waves based on JONSWAP spectrum and realization by MATLAB, Geoinformatics, vol. 2011, pp. 1–5, Jun. 2011.
[3]	Guo B. and Ringwood J. V., A review of wave energy technology from a research and commercial perspective, IET Renewable Power Generation, vol. 15, no. 10, pp. 3065–3090, Oct. 2021.
[4]	Sheng W. and Li H., A method for energy and resource assessment of waves in finite water depths, Energies, vol. 10, no. 8, p. 1188, 2017.
[5]	Lee U. J., W. Jeong M., and Cho H. Y., Estimation and analysis of JONSWAP spectrum parameter using observed data around Korean coast, J. Mar. Sci. Eng., vol. 10, no. 5, p. 578, May 2022.
[6]	Cannata G., Simone M., Gallerano F., Numerical Investigation into the Performance of an OWC Device under Regular and Irregular Waves, J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11, 735.
[7]	Cao D., Zeng H., He J., Liang H., Yang Z., Ramaya Ancha V., Chen H., A numerical investigation of irregular wave overtopping on a 2D fixed overtopping wave energy converter, Ships and offshore structures, 2024.
[8]	Fan, G., Wu, W., Wang, H., Cao, F., Wu, Y., & Blaabjerg, F., A novel wave energy converter with an extended operational range for a wide range of wave conditions. Ocean Engineering, 2026, 343, 123478.
[9]	Yang, I., Terziev, M., Tezdogan, T., & Incecik, A., Numerical investigation of a point absorber wave energy converter integrated with vertical wall and latching control for enhanced power extraction. Marine Energy Research, 1(1), 10004, 2024.
[10]	Ulm, N., Huang, Z., & Cross, P., Experimental study of a fixed OWC-type wave energy converter in irregular wave conditions. Scientific Reports, 15, 9420, 2025.
[11]	Ren, C., Tan, J., Zhang, L., & Li, C., Study on the influence of PTO control strategies on extreme loads of wave energy converters. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(5), 994, 2025.
[12]	Abbasi A., Ghassemi H., Investigation of a novel hybrid-absorber wave energy converter combining linear (Raft-type) and point (Wavestar) absorbers for improved power extraction, Journal of Cleaner Production, 538, 2026, 147284.
[13]	Neisi A., Ghafari H.R., Ghassemi H., Moan T. , He G., Power extraction and dynamic response of hybrid semi-submersible yaw-drive flap combination (SYFC), Renewable Energy 218, 2023, 119315.
[14]	Jafarzadeh Khatibani M., Ghassemi H., Ghiasi M., Numerical study on coupled heave-pitch motions of multi-body Salter’s duck-WEC with a floating platform in regular and irregular waves, Energy Conversion and Management 329, 2025, 119639.
[15]	Abroug I., Abcha N., Dutykh D., Jarno,A. and Marin, F., Experimental and numerical study of the propagation of focused wave groups in the nearshore zone, Physics Letters A, vol. 384, no. 6, p. 126-144, 2020.
[16]	Folley M. and Whittaker T., Analysis of the nearshore wave energy resource, Renewable Energy, vol. 34, no. 7, pp. 1709–1715, Jul. 2009.
[17]	Reikard G. and Robertson B., Simulating and forecasting ocean wave energy in Western Canada, Ocean Engineering, vol. 103, pp. 223–236, 2015.
[18]	Li, Y., & Smith, J., On the formation of coastal rogue waves in water of variable depth: Wave transformation and variation in wave celerity. Cambridge Prisms: Coastal Futures, 2023.
[19]	Simarro, G., Influence of bed variations on linear wave propagation beyond the mild slope condition. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 12(9), 1652, 2024.
[20]	Wilson P. and Clark R., Dispersion Relations in Shallow Water Waves, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, vol. 57, no. 10, pp. 7890-7899, October 2018.
[21]	Cruz J. (Ed.), Ocean Wave Energy: Current Status and Future Perspectives, Springer, 2008.
[22]	Hasselmann K., et al., Directional wave spectra observed during JONSWAP 1973, Journal of Physical Oceanography, vol. 10, no. 8, pp. 1264–1280, 1980.
[23]	Mazzaretto O. M., et al., A global evaluation of the JONSWAP spectra suitability on coastal regions worldwide, Coastal Engineering, 2022.
[24]	Ryabkova M., et al., A review of wave spectrum models as applied to the ocean, Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 2019.
[25]	Lee T. and Kim D., A study on the effects of wave spectra on wave energy conversions, Renewable Energy, vol. 145, pp. 1231–1245, 2020.
[26]	Cahill B. and Lewis T., Wave period ratios and the calculation of wave power, Marine Energy Technology Symposium (METS), 2014.
[27]	Williams H., JONSWAP waves for realistic ocean wave modelling, Ocean Engineering Letters, 2021.
[28]	Goda T., Random Seas and Design of Maritime Structures, 3rd ed., World Scientific, 2010.
[29]	Young R. and Holthuijsen P., Spectral wave energy analysis under shallow water conditions, Coastal Engineering, vol. 56, no. 9, pp. 850–861, 2009.
[30]	Cavaleri L., Wave modelling — the state of the art, Progress in Oceanography, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 603–674, 2007.
[31]	M. Benoit, Spectral energy balance and wave propagation in shallow water, Coastal Engineering Journal, 2013.
[32]	Wolf J., The impact of spectral shape on wave energy flux, Renewable Energy, vol. 39, pp. 356–367, 2012.
[33]	Li Y. and Haynes, R., Numerical assessment of JONSWAP parameters for energy prediction, Ocean Engineering, vol. 157, pp. 111–122, 2018.
[34]	Ardhuin F., et al., Observations of swell dissipation across oceans, Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 36, 2009.
[35]	Guedes Soares C., and Rego A., Effect of the JONSWAP peak enhancement on wave kinematics, Applied Ocean Research, vol. 22, pp. 123–135, 2000.