Wave Energy Conversion

Rdvan KOTAN, Yusuf Ziya TRYAK

Marmara University, Faculty of Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering Department
Abstract
Nowadays, the exhaustion of fossil fuels causes to explore new opportunities to meet the world's energy
needs. The best answer to this new quest is renewable energy such as wind, waves, sunlight, hydro,
biomass and geothermal energy. In todays world, wave energy from renewable energy sources is not
economical. However, developments in the wave energy technology, will make it economic. In this study,
we will examine how the wave energy converted to electrical energy, the importance and place among
other renewable resources, the advantages and disadvantages of wave energy and we will mention the
wave energy potential of Turkey.

The generator delivers power into the grid with constant frequency and RMS voltage. Because
the turbine rotates with a variable speed a synchronous machine is not appropriate. Instead, a
double fed wound rotor induction generator is used. The wound rotor is fed by the stator using a
converter (figure 3) and with this arrangement the frequency and voltage is kept constant for a
large range of turbine speed variation.[8]

PELAMIS WAVE ENERGY CONVERTER

The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter, a Scottish invention, consists of six articulated
cylinders of 3.5 m in diameter and 30 m in length (floaters) articulated connected to four
cylinders of 3.5 m in diameter and 5 m in length (power modules).

keywords : wave, energy, renewable energy, wave power

Introduction

Figure 4. Pelamis wave farm

Wave power refers to the energy of ocean surface waves and the capture of that energy to do useful
work. Sea waves are a very promising energy carrier among renewable power sources, since they are
able to manifest an enormous amount of energy resources in almost all geographical regions. The global
theoretical energy from waves corresponds to 8x10 TWh/year, which is about 100 times the total
hydroelectricity generation of the whole planet. To produce this energy using fossil fuels it would result an
emission of 2 million of tones of CO2. This means that wave energy could contribute heavily for the
attenuation of pollutant gases in the atmosphere, as defended by the Kyoto Protocol.[5] The global wave
resource due to wave energy is roughly 2 TW and Europe represents about 320 GW, which is about 16%
of the total resource. However, for various reasons, it is estimated that only 10 to 15% can be converted
into electrical energy, which is a vast source of energy, able to feed the present all world. Eventually,
wave energy could make a major contribution by yielding as much as 120 TWh/year for Europe and
perhaps three times that level worldwide. The ocean is a true store of renewable energy.[2]

Figure 3. converter

This articulated structure with 140 m in a total length is

placed 2/3 semi-submerged offshore in deep waters. The
structure is secured by flexile cables fitted to the seabed.
(figure 5)

Wave Energy Potential in Turkey

Figure 5. anchorage

In such way that the float axis is oriented in the predominant wave
direction. This long, hinged tube as the hinges bend, they pump
hydraulic fluid creating pressurized oil to drive a hydraulic motor that
drives an electric generator, mounted inside the 5 m floating power
module.[7]
Figure 6. inside view of Pelamis Wave Energy Converter

ARCHIMEDES WAVE SWING

Methodologies
The power associated with a wave of wavelength
and height H and a front b is given by;

where is the water density and g is the gravity

acceleration. The power across each meter of
wave front associated to a uniform wave with
height H (m) and wavelength (m) is then;

OSCILLATING WATER COLUMN

This system consists of a chamber built in
shoreline cost with the layout shown in
figure1.
The motions of ocean/sea waves push an
air pocket up and down behind a
breakwater. Then the air passes through an
air turbine. Next, when the wave returns to
the sea, an air depression will circulate
through the turbine in the opposite sense.
However, this turbine has been designed to
continue turning the same way irrespective
of the direction of the airflow.(figure 2)

The mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy by means

a linear synchronous generator (figure 8). The stator is a fixed coil to
seabed. The linear rotor is a permanent magnet connected to the
oscillating buoy by means a shaft. During the rotor oscillation the
linked magnetic flux with the coil will induce in it, according to
Faraday law, an emf given by;

Figure 7. Archimedes Wave

Swing (AWS)

Figure 8.

giving an alternating voltage at coil terminals, which can be applied to an electric load. Compared to most other wave
energy devices, the Archimedes Wave Swing also takes up a proportionately smaller area of the sea, in relation to
power generated.[9]

Comparison

Figure 1. Oscillating Water Column

Figure 2. impulse turbine

(turning the same way
irrespective of direction of
airflow)

Turkey, which is encircled on three sides by the seas, should

have the utmost benefit of using her existing potential of the
wave motion. The technically available resource has been
estimated approximately 10 TWh/year with an annual wave
power between 4 and 17 kW/m. This is 7.8 % of the
economically feasible potential of current Turkish hydroelectrical energy.
The regions in the west of the Black Sea in the north of Istanbul
Straits and off the southwestern coasts of Aegean Sea between
Marmaris and Finike have been suggested as the best sites to
harness the wave energy. But, Wave energy is still not a current
issue of Turkey. Hence this energy source is not considered as
an alternative for the study.[1]

The Archimedes Wave Swing (AWS) is a submerged cylinder shaped buoy, moored to the
seabed, at least six meters below the sea surface. Passing waves move an air filled upper
casing against a lower fixed cylinder, with the up and down movement converted into
mechanical energy.

and is expressed in W/m.[4]

The sea waves motion can be converted into mechanical energy by using proper wave power
mechanisms. There are currently about 40 types of mechanisms for exploiting the energy available in
waves, several of which are now being constructed.[6] Some of the mechanisms are Oscillating Water
Column, Pelamis Wave Energy Converter and Archimedes Wave Swing.

The sun also warms the surface of the ocean more than the ocean depths,
creating a temperature difference that can be used as an energy source. But the
initial cost of the wave energy is much more expensive than the other renewable
energy resources. So, the usage of this resource is less than the other ones.
Besides the initial cost, its maintenance costs are very low. Also, the ratio of the
power to plant area is ten times more than the solar panel systems and five times
more than the wind turbine systems. Moreover, the wave energy plants create a
habitat for marine life.[3]

Most renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun.
Sunlight, or solar energy, can be used directly for heating and lighting
homes and other buildings, for generating electricity, and for hot water
heating, solar cooling, and a variety of commercial and industrial uses.
The sun's heat also drives the winds, whose energy, is captured with
wind turbines. Then, the winds and the sun's heat cause water to
evaporate. When this water vapor turns into rain or snow and flows
downhill into rivers or streams, its energy can be captured using
hydroelectric power. Wave energy is driven by both the tides and the
winds.

Conclusion
Energy is the most significant component that describes the progress of the national economy. Gradual decrease of non-renewable
energy sources has increased in importance of renewable energy sources. The importance of renewable energy sources for humans
survival is top. Society's energy needs will be forever and humanity will try all kinds of ways to meet it. Wave energy, an important
member of these resources is a suitable area for improvement. Ocean and marine resources in renewable energy technologies have
the potential to make significant contributions. Despite working on the advanced technology required for the development of
administrative and economic arrangements for some progress toward commercialization. These are, respectively, provision of
connection to the electricity grid, encouraging the use of the ocean and marine energy in the legal framework, the analysis of sources
and physical data, taking economic measures and may be listed as public information. Wave energy has a very high energy potential.
Turkey's current energy structure is mostly based on imported fossil fuels. Turkey, the energy demand in 2010 72% of the imports in
2020 will be 80%. Our dependence on foreign countries for energy can be avoided in the planning phase of energy sources and energy
policies to be implemented in combination with the potential to shape in this direction. The development and the use of the three sides
of the country is surrounded by sea wave energy is positively affected. Wave energy in our country is very costly as it may seem difficult
to use at the moment, but it is certain to come to an important position in the future.

References
[1] Saglam, M, Uyar,T.S., Calculating The Technical Potential of Wave Energy in Turkey,
Case Studies for Project Feasibility and Design Marmara University, Faculty of
Mechanical Engineering, Turkey (2004)
[2] Thorpe, T W. "A Brief Review of Wave Energy", ETSU Report Number R-120, (1999).
[3] Bent Srenfen: Renewable Energy, Elsevier Academic Press, 2004
[4] McCormick, M., 1981. Ocean Wave Energy Conversion, Wiley, Annapolis, Maryland.

[5] Cruz, J., 2007. Ocean Wave Energy, Current

Status and Future Perspectives, Springer
Series in Green Energy Technologies.
[6] Rodrigues, L, Wave power conversion
systems for electrical energy production, Nova
University of Lisbon, Portugal (2008)