Wavepiston

The Wavepiston consists of a chain of energy collectors stretched between two anchored buoys. When waves roll along the energy collectors, plates are moved back and forth. The moving plates pump seawater into a pipe. The pipe leads the pressurized water to a turbine and/or a reverse osmosis system in a dry and easily accessible location for energy conversion and/or desalination. Testing of the Wavepiston has been conducted at various scales (1:9, 1:2, and ongoing full-scale testing) and at various locations including open-water testing at Denmark and Spain's Canary Islands.

Technology Developer

Wavepiston ApS

Additional Information

Device Website

Device Status

Is the device actively being developed or is available for purchase (active)? Or has development or support ended (inactive)?

Active

Technology Type

Oscillating Wave Surge Converter

Power Take-Off

Mechanism that converts the motion of the prime mover into a useful form of energy such as electricity, learn more

Hydro Turbine

Max Rated Power Capacity

The maximum amount of electricity that can be produced by the device, as rated by the manufacturer.

200 KW

Surface Expression

True

Estimated TRL

Estimated Technology Readiness Level scale from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature technology

TRL Last updated: 16 September 2024

8

Energy Resource

Wave

Water Column Position

Last Modified

6 June 2025

Test Sites where Wavepiston was tested

Citation Formats

“Wavepiston.” Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/Wavepiston. Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.

Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices. <year>. "Wavepiston." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/Wavepiston.

PRIMRE/Databases/Projects Database/Devices/Wavepiston

Wavepiston

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