Reliability Enhancement and Ocean Demonstration of a Low Cost Wave Energy Harvester

Wave energy, a promising source of renewable power generation, is unlikely to make a material contribution to US or global energy supplies unless more cost effective and robust technologies can be developed. Oscilla Power, Inc. has developed a technology for the low cost, utility scale harvesting of wave energy enabled by novel magnetic materials that has no moving parts. Following successful laboratory and initial wave tank testing, further design for reliability activities need to be carried out in advance of a preliminary ocean demonstration. Together with collaborators at the University of New Hampshire, we will conduct engineering, modeling and prototype testing activities to ensure the reliability of both the core power generation module as well as the mooring lines. Phase II activities will be focused on the design, construction, deployment and testing of two subsequent versions of the wave energy system using full scale power generation modules.Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: Development and commercialization of the technology has the potential to significantly impact the renewable energy landscape by dramatically reducing the cost, improving the robustness and broadening the availability of wave energy