Analysis of ocean power extraction capabilities of a rotary wave energy conversion system

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a shift towards renewable energy sources to help alleviate the dependence on fossil fuels. Many industries have started to investigate wind, solar, and other alternative energy sources. Our research aimed to provide additional insight into the field of wave energy as a component of a comprehensive energy solution. We selected a unique wave energy converter design and analyzed potential modifications that could improve its performance. After developing design modifications, we constructed and tested a prototype of a Rotary Wave Energy Collector (R-WEC). We tested the rotor under two mooring configurations and collected data on the relationship between power output and wavelength. We also analyzed the rotor's performance under single and multiple frequency wave environments. In addition, we investigated the implementation of a full-scale device through a study of three coastal regions in the mid-Atlantic U.S. area. This research showed that our R-WEC design could be implemented in shallow water, single frequency wave environments to generate usable power.