Page 46: of Marine Technology Magazine (April 2016)

Offshore: Wave Energy Prize

Sea Potential (Bristol, R.I.)

The DUO wave energy converter is a new design concept that simultaneously captures power from both the heave and the pitch/surge motions induced by wave action. The additional modes of power capture have the potential for increased ef? ciency in terms of energy capture per unit cost compared to devices operating in a single mode or single direction. The DUO’s patented con? guration, which connects oscillating bodies with angled pre-tensioned cable linkages and a Power Take Off system, enables power capture from pitch motions to be exploited simultaneously with heave motions. The

DUO’s primary power absorption is achieved by damping the relative heave and rotational motions of the oscillating structures. This produces a signi? cant increase in power capture (and energy production) compared to devices that capture power from a single mode of motion. The increased power capture and the associated engineering innovations can produce major reductions to the costs of generating electricity from wave energy resources.

April 2016 46

MTR

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