Wave energy is one of the most abundant renewable resources, but most Wave Energy Converters (WECs) remain complex, expensive, and hard to maintain in real marine environments. Exposed mechanical components, intricate hydraulics, and multi-module designs suffer from corrosion, fouling, and wear, driving up costs and limiting reliability and scalability.
In this context, researchers from the Universidad del País Vasco (EHU) are developing a novel WEC that converts the roll motion of waves into electricity using protected internal masses and a fully enclosed power-take-off system. The device is designed to tune its natural frequency to local sea states, requires minimal maintenance, and maintains stable performance even under extreme wave conditions.
The technology is a wave-energy converter that generates electricity from the roll motion of waves using internal sliding masses inside a floating, seabed-anchored structure. As the hull heels, these protected masses move and transfer kinetic energy to a fully enclosed power-take-off system whose natural frequency can be tuned to local wave conditions, improving energy capture. Current work focuses on validating the sealed mechanical conversion module, studying the behavior of the internal masses under different sea states, and refining the structural design to host multiple generators in a single unit. By keeping all critical components enclosed, the device aims to reduce maintenance, enhance reliability, and scale toward coastal and offshore power applications.
Benefits of this technology:
- Lower maintenance costs and higher reliability thanks to a fully enclosed, corrosion-protected power-take-off with no exposed moving parts under direct wave loads.
- Higher energy capture by tuning the device’s natural frequency to local sea conditions.
- More power per unit by integrating multiple generators into a single floating structure.
The represented institution is looking for a collaboration that leads to a commercial exploitation of the presented invention.
Institution: ITSAS-REM research group from the Universidad del País Vasco (EHU).
TRL: The technology is currently at an early prototype stage (TRL 3), validated through controlled laboratory testing.
Protection Status: Technology is protected through a patent application.
Contacto: Ana Carlota de la Cruz Abad / a.cruz@viromii.com