Ocean Wave Energy Conversion

(WEC)
Presented By: Farman Ali
2019-MS-RES-21
Contents
1. Wave Energy
2. History and Development
3. Globally wave power potential
4. Energy Source and Location
5. Classification of Wave energy convertors (WEC`s)
6. List of wave power farms
7. General materials aspects in Marine environment
8. Materials aspects of major components

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1. Wave energy
• Waves are generated by the wind as it blows across the
sea surface. Energy is transferred from the wind to the
waves.

• Wave energy is sometimes confused with tidal energy,

which is quite different.

• There is approximately 8,000-80,000 TWh/yr or 1-10 TW of

wave energy in the entire ocean and wave energy provides
“15-20 times more available energy per square meter than
either wind or solar”.

03/15/2024 MUETZE et al (2006) 3

1.1. Waves formation
• Differential warming of the earth causes pressure
differences in the atmosphere, which generate
winds.
• As wind moves across the surface of open bodies
of water, transfer their energy to water and creates
waves.
• Speed of wind: The faster the wind is travelling, the
bigger a wave will be.
• Time of Wind: The wave will get larger, the longer
the length of time the wind is hitting.
• Distance of Wind: The farther the wind travels
against the way (Known as fetch), the bigger it will The generation of ocean waves
be.

03/15/2024 Chenari et al (2014) and Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy 4

1.2. WECs and Their Environment

Ocean parameters affecting the marine environment are sketchily presented

Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy

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2. History and Development
• The first known patent to use ocean wave energy
dates back to 1799 in Paris by Girard and his son.
• First attempt for development of the WECs are
recorded have to taken place in 1800s, shown in
Fig.
• From 1855 to 1973, there were already 340
patents filed in UK alone.
• Than modern scientific pursuit of wave energy was
pioneered by Yoshio Masuda`s experiments in
1940s.
• A renewed interest in wave energy was motivated
by the oil crisis in 1973. Wave motor experiment off the coast of
Santa Cruz from 1800s.

03/15/2024 Antonio et al (2010) and Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy 6

Cont…
• In 1980s, a few first generation were tested at sea.
• Shoreline prototypes installed in 1985 in
Toftestallen, Norway: 500 kW.
75Kw Scotland, Uk. 1991 60Kw Sakata harbor, Japan. 1990
• 75 kW oscillating water column prototype
installed in 1991 on the island of Islay, Scotland,
UK.
• OWC plant integrated into a breakwater at Sakata
harbor, Japan, 1990. Rated power 60 kW.
• Bottom-standing OWC installed in 1990 at
Trivandrum, southern India. Rated power 125 kW.
125Kw Trivandrum, India. 1990 100Kw Guangdong, China. 2001
• LIMPET OWC plant, rated 500 kW, installed in
2000 on the island of Islay, Scotland, UK.
• 100 kW shoreline OWC built in 2001 in
Guangdong Province, China.
• 500 kW nearshore bottom-standing steel-made
OWC converter installed at Port Kembla, Australia,
in 2005. 500Kw Scotland, Uk. 2000 500Kw Kembla, Australia. 2005
03/15/2024 Antonio et al (2010) and Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy 7
3. Globally wave power potential

• Increased wave activity is found between the

latitudes of 30° and 60° on both hemispheres.

• The world resource of wave power is estimated

in about 2 TW.

• Europe represents about 16% of the global

wave power resource (320 GW).

• Only about 10 to 15% of the global estimated

resource can be converted in electrical energy.
Approximate global distribution of wave power
levels in kW/m of wave front

03/15/2024 MUETZE et al (2006) and The Atmosphere and Ocean 8

03/15/2024 9
Handbook by B. Lohani
3.1. Pakistan Ocean power potential
• Pakistan has about 1000 km long coastline, with
complex network of creeks in the Indus deltaic
area.

• The erosional features along the Makran coastal

areas show the relevance of strong wave-energy,
which could be harnessed for the generation of
electric power for rapidly developing coastal cities,
Gawader, Pasni, Ormara, Gadani etc. Coastline of Pakistan

03/15/2024 Zaigham et al (2005) 10

Cont…

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4. Energy Source and Location

• The energy can be exploited on an economically

viable basis when levels are at least 15~20
kW/m.
• With the peak-period (Te), the average energy of
a certain sea state characterized by H and Te, is
usually estimated by the formula:
2
𝜌𝑔𝐻 𝑇𝑒
𝑃=
64 𝜋 Characteristics of an idealized wave
• At idealized ocean wave is approximately equal
to: P= Wave Power
H= Significant wave height,
𝑃 ≅ 0.5 𝐻 2 𝑇 𝑒 =Wave energy period
g=Acceleration by gravity
=Water density

03/15/2024 AQUARET 12
4.1. WECs power take off (PTO)

Wave energy converter power take-off (PTO) permutations

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5. Classification of Wave energy convertors (WEC`s)

03/15/2024 ENERGY HARVESTING Solar, Wind, and Ocean Energy Conversion Systems 14
 Classification of WECs based on Location
• On-shore means coastal areas in which the
water depth is 10-15 meters and the maximum
wave height is 7.8 meters.

• Near-shore means shallow water areas in which

the water depth is 15-25 meters and the
maximum wave height is 15.6 meters.

• Off-shore means deep water areas in which

there is no natural limitation for both water
Position of the wave energy system in Sea
depth and wave height. The water depth is
always more than 50 meters and wave height
can exceed 30 meters.
03/15/2024 Farrok et al (2020) and Chenari et al (2014) 15
5.1. Point Absorber

• Floating structure that absorbs wave energy

in all direction by virtue of their movements

at or near the water surface.

• Point absorber have small dimensions

compared to the typical wavelength.

• Buoy-type design for example act as point

absorber. Point absorber wave energy converter (WEC).

03/15/2024 Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy, Farrok et al (2020) and AQUARET 16
5.2. Overtopping Device
• These devices consists of a wall over which the
waves moves collecting the water in a storage
reservoir, also known as terminators.

• The incoming waves create a head of the water.

Which is released back to the sea through
conventional low-head turbines installed at the
bottom of the reservoir.

• Example of overtopping wave power device is

Wave Dragon.

Illustration of the overtopping device

Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy, Farrok et al (2020) and AQUARET
03/15/2024 17
 Examples

Power Buoy with rated power 150 KW, USA Wave dragon overtopping device with rated
power 150 KW, Denmark

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5.3. Oscillating Water Column

• Partially submerged, hollow structure which are

open to the sea below the water surface.

• So, that they contained air trapped above column

of the water.

• Waves cause the column to rise and fall, acting like

a piston, compressing and decompressing the air.

• This compressed air channeled through an air

turbine to generate power, i.e. Wavegen Limpet.

Complete structure of oscillating water column

03/15/2024 Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy, Farrok et al (2020) and AQUARET 19
5.4. Attenuators

• Long floating devices which are aligned

perpendicular to the wave front.

• These devices effectively rides the waves and

capture the energy as moves past it by selectively
constraining. The movement of the attenuators is
along its length.

• The most used example of this type of WEC is

Pelamis wave power.

Attenuator wave energy harnessing device

Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy, Farrok et al (2020) and AQUARET
03/15/2024 20
 Examples

LIMPET OWC plant, rated 500 kW UK. Pelamis wave energy converter, rated power 750KW, UK

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5.5. Oscillating Wave Surge Converters
• An oscillating wave surge converter is generally
comprised of a hinged deflector, positioned
perpendicular to the wave direction.

• Which moves back and forth exploiting the

horizontal particle velocity of the wave.

• The water particles in the waves cause the arm to

oscillate and generate power.

• OWSC are typically bottom mounted devices, fixed

directly to the sea bed. Example of this device is
Wave Roller or Sea Oyster.
Floating device of oscillating wave surge converter.
Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy, Farrok et al (2020) and AQUARET
03/15/2024 22
5.6. Submerged Pressure Differential

• These are submerged devices typically located

nearshore and attached to the sea bed.

• The motion of the waves causes the sea level to

rise and fall above the device.

• Which inducing a pressure differential which

causes the devices to rise and fall with the waves.

• Example of this type of wave energy converter is

the Archimedes wave swing.

Submerged pressure differential device

03/15/2024 Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy, Farrok et al (2020) and AQUARET 23
 Examples

2MW PA Archimedes Wave Swing, Portugal Wave Roller or Sea Oyster, rated 435 KW, Scotland, UK

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5.7. Rotating Mass

• Two forms of rotation are used to capture energy

by the movement of the device heaving and
swaying in the waves.

• This motion drives either an eccentric weight or a

gyroscope causes precession.

• In both cases the movement is attached to an

electric generator inside the device.

Rotating mass wave energy technology.

Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy, Farrok et al (2020) and AQUARET

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5.8. Bulge Head Wave Energy Converter

• Bulge or anaconda wave technology

consists of a rubber tube filled with water,
moored to the seabed heading into the
waves.
• The water enters through the stern and the
passing wave causes pressure variations
along the length of the tube, creating a
‘bulge’.
• As the bulge travels through the tube it
grows, gathering energy which can be used
to drive a standard low-head turbine
located at the bow, where the water then
returns to the sea.
Bulge wave energy production system
Handbook of Ocean Wave Energy, Farrok et al (2020) and AQUARET
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 Examples

0.5MW Rotating mass prototype project, Finland Testing of Anaconda bulge convertor in
Danish Hydraulic Institute.

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6. List of wave power farms
Wave Station Country Capacity (KW) Type Commissioned

Ada Foah Wave Ghana 400 Point Absorber 2016

Farm

Agucadoura Wave Portugal 2250 Surface following 2008

Farm Attenuator

Azura United States 20 Point Absorber 2015

BOLT Lifesaver United States 30 Point Absorber 2016

Islay Limpet United Kingdom 500 Oscillating water 2000

column

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Cont…
Wave Station Country Capacity (KW) Type Commissioned

Mutriku Spain 300 Oscillating water 2009

Breakwater Wave column
Plant
Orkney Wave United Kingdom 2400 Oscillating wave Proposed
Power Station surge convertor

Pico Wave Power Portugal 400 Oscillating water 2010

Plant column

SDE Sea Waves Israel 40 Oscillating wave 2009

Power Plant surge convertor

SINN Power wave Greece 20 Point Absorber 2015

energy converter

Sotenäs Wave Sweden 3000 Point Absorber 2015

Power Station

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WEC prototype deployments and share

Various countries WEC prototype deployments Various countries WEC and tidal energy generation

03/15/2024 International renewable energy agency (IRENA) 30

7. General materials aspects in Marine environment
Corrosion and corrosion fatigue
• Almost all common engineering metals and alloys are corroded in marine environments.
• It is inevitable that corrosion resistance and corrosion prevention will be a vital factor in determining the
durability of Wave Energy Converters.
• To overcome of the mechanisms of corrosion, and reliable methods of overcoming corrosion by alloy
selection, coating or cathodic protection.
• Main materials phenomena affecting WECs
 Corrosion
 Fatigue
 Corrosion fatigue
 Stray current corrosion
 Wear and fretting fatigue
 Marine fouling
 Impact loading and fracture

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General materials aspects in Marine environment
Pit type Alloys Rate of pitting in sea water (m/s)

1. General Surface Corrosion Carbon Steels 10 to 30

Cast Iron 10 to 30

2. Pits from Local Dealloying AI Bronze 5< and >10

Mn Bronze -

3. Minor Pitting Austenitic -

Ni Cast Iron <10

Ni-Al Bronze <5

03/15/2024 Hudson et al and Trueworthy et al (2020) 32

Cont…
Pit type Alloys Rate of pitting in sea water (m/s)

4. Minor Pitting Cu/Ni Alloys 2< and >10

(except under deposits)
Copper <5 and >10

5. Highly Localised Pitting Alloy 825 -

Monel 400 <2

Nickel -

316 Stainless Steel <2

6. No Attack Ni-Cr-Mo Alloys Nil

Titanium Nil

03/15/2024 Hudson et al and Trueworthy et al (2020) 33

8. Materials aspects of major components
8.1. Main structures
• Steel and concrete are the two materials generally considered for the main structural
components of WECs.
• Reinforced plastic may find some specialist applications but, because of cost, it unlikely to
replace steel or concrete for the main hull of floating WECs.
• The Lancaster device is a special case were the flexible bag, which forms a major part of the
structure, will probably be made from a reinforced rubber.

03/15/2024 Calvário et al (2017) and Malça et al (2014) 34

  Steel Protection

Mild steel with low alloy steel  Paint or other coating

Corrosion sometimes localized  Cathodic protection (Zn, Al, Mg)
Reduced fatigue  Cladding with a more resistant metal (cupro
nickel).
 Galvanic corrosion if the steel is exposed

 Concrete Protection

 Versatile construction material  Fatigue can overcome by design and quality

 Concrete have durability in marine control
environment.  Protection of embedded steel using either
 Problems such as fatigue and corrosion of coatings or cathodic protection.
embedded steel.  Surface treatment of concrete to protect it
against mechanical and/or chemical
deterioration.

Hudson et al and Trueworthy et al (2020)

03/15/2024 35
8.2. Mooring systems

• The mooring of floating WECs at an economical cost

presents a difficult problem.

• The cost of establishing an anchoring point and

deploying, and subsequently replacing, a mooring line
Tension legged mooring (TLD) Mooring linked with anchor
is very high.

• There are four generic types in current use.

 Steel chains

 Steel wire ropes

 Parallel filament man made fiber ropes

 Plaited or braided fiber ropes

TLD with gravity base Four point catenary mooring

03/15/2024 Qiao et al (2020) and AQUARET 36

  Man-made fiber ropes

Parameters Double Eight strand Parallel

Braided plaited filaments
Double-braided rope
Materials Nylon Nylon Polyester

Strength (tons) 1720 620 200

Final elongation to 15 30 5
failure (%)

Diameter (mm) 288 194 90

Dry weight in air (kg/m) 55 24 5.6

Table. Properties of the largest commercially available man-made fiber

ropes Eight-strand plaited rope

03/15/2024 Hudson et all, Trueworthy et al (2020) and Introduction to Materials for Advanced Energy Systems 37
  Steel wire ropes

Parameters Six-strand Spiral strand

Maximum strength (tons) 1825 1360

Diameter (mm) 178 127

Weight in air (kg/m ) 130 80

Elastic modulus (GPa) 90 150

Strain to failure (%) 2.15 1.30 Steel wire rope rope

Table. Properties of the steel wire ropes

03/15/2024 Introduction to Materials for Advanced Energy Systems and JA Hudson 38

8.3. Primary PTO systems

 High-pressure sea water systems  Air Turbines

 A system operating at 7 Mpa might require flow  Austenitic stainless steels
rates of 10m/s in pipes 0.25 m diameter.  Nickel and Copper alloys
 Ni-Resist austenitic cast iron.  Plastic fabrications like GRP suitable (light, strong
and avoid corrosion problems).
 Austenitic stainless steels are unaffected by velocity.
 Water Turbines
 Cathodically protected, by using mild steel.
 Austenitic steel alloys with 17-20% Cr
Pump Components
 Martensitic stainless steels
 Ni-Al Bronze  SS(16Cr-5Ni), SS(13Cr-4Ni), and SS(13Cr-1Ni)
Coatings of Turbine blades
 Mg-Al Bronze
 WC-Co-Cr
 HVOF

Introduction to Materials for Advanced Energy Systems and JA Hudson

03/15/2024 39
Challenges in WECs
• Some devices already been destroyed by forces of tides and strong ocean storms.

• Accessibility, maintenance and repair can also be costly.

• The typical efficiency of wave energy devices at the moment is round about 30%.

• Due to wave energy conversion, there is greater impact on marine environment.

• The major competitor of wave energy conversion is off-shore wind power generation.

• Wave farms can result in the displacement of the commercial or recreational fisherman from production
fishing grounds.

• Ocean wave generate about 2700 GW of energy, from which is only 500 GW of energy can be captured by
recent technology.

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References
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• Pecher, A. and J. Peter Kofoed (2017). Handbook of ocean wave energy, Springer Nature.
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recommendation for future improvements. Proceedings of the 8th International Technology, Education
Development Conference, Valencia, Spain.
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03/15/2024 41
References
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03/15/2024 42
References
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Thank You!