Wave power

About: Wave power is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2671 publications have been published within this topic receiving 41439 citations. The topic is also known as: wind wave energy & sea wave energy.

The impact of sea surface currents in wave power potential modeling

Abstract: The impact of sea surface currents to the estimation and modeling of wave energy potential over an area of increased economic interest, the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, is investigated in this work. High-resolution atmospheric, wave, and circulation models, the latter downscaled from the regional Mediterranean Forecasting System (MFS) of the Copernicus marine service (former MyOcean regional MFS system), are utilized towards this goal. The modeled data are analyzed by means of a variety of statistical tools measuring the potential changes not only in the main wave characteristics, but also in the general distribution of the wave energy and the wave parameters that mainly affect it, when using sea surface currents as a forcing to the wave models. The obtained results prove that the impact of the sea surface currents is quite significant in wave energy-related modeling, as well as temporally and spatially dependent. These facts are revealing the necessity of the utilization of the sea surface currents characteristics in renewable energy studies in conjunction with their meteo-ocean forecasting counterparts.

Wave Power Generation by Piezoelectric Sensor Attached to a Coastal Structure

Abstract: The characteristics of a new wave power generating system have been proposed by installing a piezoelectric sensor to the seaward position of an existing coastal structure. By installing the sensor to the structure, waves will hit the piezoelectric sensor to generate wave energy; at the same time, the structure acts as a wave breaker. This technique can be applied to various coastal structures to converge the functions of renewable energy generator and the wave reducing structure. This technique of using piezoelectric sensor is relatively inexpensive that can be used for economic purposes as well. Throughout the study, usability of the existing coastal structure and characteristics of current research trend in the ocean wave energy retrieval of the wave power generators have been analyzed. Hydrographic analysis of this technique has been conducted by hydraulic model experiment using 2D wave flume and confirmed that the wave pressure and voltages maximize when higher wave with longer period of wave induces. Throughout the experiment, correlations of generation volume and wave conditions have been found.

Wave energy absorber of the oscillating water column type

Abstract: A wave power generating apparatus is provided with a plurality of L-shaped ducts and floats. The ducts are composed of vertical and horizontal ducts. The vertical ducts each have an air chamber thereon where an impulse turbine and an electric power generator are installed. Each float has a vertical square pillar and a vertical rear half cylinder attached thereto, and is fixedly attached onto the horizontal duct. The apparatus has high efficiency to convert wave power to electric power and needs low mooring force to keep the apparatus on an offshore.

Wave energy converters in low energy seas: Current state and opportunities

Abstract: Existing wave energy technology has been designed for ocean waves, which, however, shorten the lifespan of wave energy converters and mooring systems. Furthermore, commissioning and maintenance in the harsh ocean conditions are challenging and expensive. For wave energy technology to realise its full potential and become commercially attractive, smaller, more economical, and resilient converters should be first introduced, tested, and optimized, as was the case with wind energy. Low energy seas such as the Mediterranean, Baltic, Caspian, Black, and Red Sea are ideal for this purpose. However, the body of knowledge on wave energy converters is limited and primarily focuses on the Mediterranean. Low capacity factors have been reported, which suggests that existing technology should be downscaled to fit the milder wave regimes. Climate change tends to increase the wave energy resource, which could be beneficial for wave energy harnessing, however, will greatly affect beach and coastal erosion and ports functionality. Converters in the nearshore can protect ports and the coast and mitigate erosion. Other secondary functions include desalination, hydrogen production, pumped-storage hydroelectricity, photovoltaic panel integration, and wave-wind farms co-location. Even though wave energy converters can counter beach erosion, they might also negatively affect aquatic ecosystems through vibrations and low-frequency long-duration noise, but little attention has been paid to their environmental impacts. Overall, wave energy can increase renewable energy penetration, decarbonize power generation, and promote job creation, and low energy seas can play an important role in advancing existing technology and help the industry progress.