Ocean Wave Energy Conversion Technologies: a Review

For engineers in the energy sector, harvesting energy from the ocean waves is highly exciting. This is accomplished by the means of various energy absorbing techniques proposed to the date. However, due to several economic and technological complications, deploying many of these energy absorbers in the real oceanic environment is impossible. The stability and effectiveness of an energy absorber depends on its compatibility with the seasonal waves, ability to work in extreme situations with maximum energy harvesting potential, and ability to satisfy the economic constraints. In this study, presented is a review of various front end energy conversion devices – the first stage in a series of conversion and transmission processes including power take off and electric energy conversion. The aim of this article is to present information on front end energy converters in a point absorber, and to bold the potential accidents and strategies needed to be considered in designing procedure of each device. With the aid of the recent developments in the field, it will be viable to develop commercial ocean wave energy converters. Engineers may use this information for developing a mature point-absorber-type wave energy harvester.