Wave Energy Conversion Corporation of America (WECCA) is competing in the Wave Energy Prize challenge with its AWECS wave energy device comprised of three articulating barges.
Advanced Wave Energy Conversion System’s (AWECS) fore and aft barges are propelled by continuous ocean waves, with the power take-off devices connected at leveraged hinge points to the center barge via robust hinges.
The relative motions of the fore and aft barges, compared to the weight-dampened center barge, provide opportunity to cost-effectively capture and transform ocean wave energy into electricity, according to WECCA.
AWECS electricity is then conditioned for local grid requirements.
The device is constructed from lightweight, durable composite material. Designed to constantly sense and dynamically tune its physical characteristics, the system is able to extract the maximum energy through resonance relative to changing wave climates.
When hazardous storm conditions are sensed, the AWECS is designed to submerge to safe depths, until storm conditions subside, then surface again to generate electricity, WECCA states.
WECCA is one of 17 semi-finalist teams competing for Wave Energy Prize, organized by the US Department of Energy, to advance wave energy sector development.
The company has completed 1:50 scale testing of AWECS at Davidson Laboratory at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, in January.
WECCA is currently focused on the implementation of the control system for the device, after it has submitted the construction plan for 1:20 AWECS device, for which the funding will be granted if WECCA team advances to the next phase of competition as official finalist team.
Take a look at the 1:50 scale AWECS device being tested at Davidson Laboratory.