Providing reliable power in coastal and remote areas with limited access to the electrical grid requires independent and sustainable energy sources. The mechanical energy of ocean waves is a renewable resource that can be harnessed in these locations. By converting wave-induced motion into electrical energy, wave energy systems can provide part of the power required by equipment and facilities operating in off-grid areas.
In this project, a 1 kW wave energy recovery system was designed and manufactured to convert the mechanical energy of ocean waves into electrical power. The system operates by capturing the oscillating motion of a floating body and transferring this mechanical energy to a hydraulic power circuit.
The float moves vertically in response to wave motion, driving a hydraulic pump. The pump pressurizes the hydraulic fluid, storing the captured wave energy in the hydraulic circuit. When the pressurized fluid is released, the stored hydraulic energy drives a hydraulic motor, generating rotational mechanical power. This rotational motion is then used to generate electrical power.