Wave Energy Conversion Technologies

Abstract

The energy crisis experienced in the 1970s showed that meeting the energy requirements mostly from fossil fuels could adversely affect our lives. While the energy requirements are mostly met from fossil fuels, their harmful effects on the environment are also becoming more evident by each day. As a result, different energy sources were started to be researched to diversify the supply of energy and to prevent the pollution of the environment. Waves are a promising and abundant source of renewable energy that was started to be studied during the days of the energy crisis. Many different types of wave energy converters have been designed so far, which are at different levels of development. Designing a wave energy converter that will satisfy many requirements in a very harsh environment is a complex process. Many factors should be analyzed, such as the geometry and the size of the float, the type of the power take-off system and its dynamics, the mooring system, and the environmental conditions. Thus, the wave energy converters are briefly introduced and the analyses that are carried out during the design process are explained.