Conceptual design of compliant mechanical wave energy converter

As wave energy is known for its higher energy densities, it is very essential to extract to its maximum extent. In the present study, an attempt is made to design and develop complaint-type Mechanical Wave Energy Converter (WEC) through numerical tools. Proposed WEC consists of central buoy to which tubular floats that extract wave energy are connected, circumferentially. This makes both the functionality and form of the device different from other existing WECs. Proposed design is suitable to operate in near-shore conditions, which is ensured by examining it under a few sets of both regular and irregular waves that are common to Indian coast. Hydrodynamic parameters of the device are closely examined to assess its performance under the considered sea states. Mechanical power and efficiency obtained from the motion of the floats for a particular capture-width are tabulated.