Researchers Deploy Innovative Wave Energy Converter Off Hawaii Coast
Researchers from the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) and the University of Hawaii at Manoa have successfully deployed the Small Underwater Research Flap Wave Energy Converter (SURF-WEC) off the coast of Oahu. This device, which functions like a buoyant, oscillating door anchored to the seabed, captures energy from ocean waves to generate electricity. By providing open access to its design and performance data, the project aims to address a critical shortage of information in the marine energy industry, helping to bridge the gap between theoretical modeling and successful commercial-scale ocean energy deployment.
The SURF-WEC system operates by using the movement of its submerged flap to drive a hydraulic pump. This process builds pressure within a sealed system, which eventually powers a motor and generator to produce electricity. A key feature of the device is its adaptability; researchers can remotely toggle the system between active and passive modes. This allows the team to compare how different control strategies impact energy capture efficiency versus the internal energy losses required to run sensors and mechanical adjustments in real-time.
Before its ocean deployment, the device underwent extensive testing at the NLR’s Flatirons Campus in Colorado. Engineers utilized hydrodynamic models and a custom data-and-control platform known as MODAQ 2.0 to simulate and refine the system’s performance. This digital backbone now monitors the device from the Makai Research Pier, managing operations and collecting data as waves pass. Despite facing delays from a powerful Kona storm during the initial installation, the team successfully anchored the system and began generating power, marking a significant milestone for marine energy research.
The project is expected to remain in the water for up to a year, providing a continuous stream of real-world performance data. By sharing these findings, the researchers hope to provide the industry with the necessary insights to advance future marine energy technologies. The initiative, funded by the Department of Energy’s Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office, emphasizes the importance of collaboration in moving marine energy from laboratory concepts to functional, open-ocean systems that can reliably contribute to the power grid.
