Title: Assessment of currently available ocean wave energy conversion systems using technology readiness levels

Authors: Praveen Malali; Kyle Marchand

Addresses: Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, RW-208C Rivers building, Mail Stop 133, East Carolina University, Greenville – 27858, North Carolina, USA ' Department of Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, East Carolina University, Greenville – 27858, North Carolina, USA

Abstract: Ocean waves are a huge, untapped source with a higher energy density than solar and wind energy. Over the years, numerous designs for ocean wave energy converter systems (OWECS) have been proposed. This paper provides a comprehensive review and assessment of currently available OWECS using technology readiness levels (TRLs) scale developed by the US Department of Energy. TRLs are used by numerous industries to assess technical maturity and functional readiness of new technologies. The study finds that there are 20 OWECS which are at various stages of technological development. Out of these, 14, five and two OWECS are intended for deployment at near-shore, off-shore and on-shore locations, respectively. The study shows that OWECS technology is diverse and relatively immature compared to solar and wind energy technology. Finally, the study reveals a lack of convergence towards a single OWECS that is capable of energy extraction from on-shore, near-shore and off-shore locations.

Keywords: ocean wave energy; wave energy converter; functional readiness; deployment location; technology readiness level; TRL.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2020.108332

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2020 Vol.11 No.2, pp.126 - 146

Received: 14 Jan 2019
Accepted: 10 Feb 2020
Published online: 08 Jul 2020 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article