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PRIMRE/Databases/Projects Database/Devices/OIST WEC-units
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OIST WEC-units
The running speed of water inside the breaking wave is much higher than that of swells in deep sea areas. OIST wave energy converter (WEC) consisting of turbines that are placed at the wave-breaking zone where the forward-running water in the breaking wave drives the turbine and generates electricity.
To overcome the impulse power generation due to dynamic wave-breaking phenomena, the device developers plan to incorporate solid-state power conversion circuitry and energy storage into the design, such that electricity can be temporarily stored in a capacitor bank, followed by sending the regulated power into the AC-grid system with highly stabilized frequency and voltage.
Another fundamental limitations of this design is a low power conversion efficiency due to the highly convex flow of a breaking wave. OIST has been working at addressing this limitation through R&D efforts, including numerical simulations and open water testing, and believe that the solution may be a Ducted-WEC concept currently under testing.
Additional Information
Device Status
Is the device actively being developed or is available for purchase (active)? Or has development or support ended (inactive)?
Active
Power Take-Off
Mechanism that converts the motion of the prime mover into a useful form of energy such as electricity, learn more
Direct Drive Generator
Max Rated Power Capacity
The maximum amount of electricity that can be produced by the device, as rated by the manufacturer.
30 KW
Surface ExpressionTrue
Estimated TRL
Estimated Technology Readiness Level scale from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature technology
TRL Last updated: 20 September 2023
6
Energy Resource
- Wave
Water Column Position
Surface
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Submerged - Mid
Entire Water Column
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Submerged - Bottom
Last Modified
1 May 2025
Projects Using OIST WEC-units
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Citation Formats
“OIST WEC-units.” Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/OIST_WEC-units. Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.
Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices. <year>. "OIST WEC-units." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/OIST_WEC-units.
