To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 amidst rising energy demands, a shift toward renewable energy is essential. Wave Energy Converters (WECs) are a promising but underdeveloped technology that could outperform solar and wind. However, high costs and friction challenges in prototypes hinder their viability. This thesis presentation details the design and testing of a Low Friction Testbed (LFT) using air bearings and a voice coil actuator to improve WEC efficiency and reduce costs, enabling more effective testing and validation of advanced…
The 2023 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition final event took place on May 7-9, 2023 at Waterpower Week in Washington D.C. The Strategic Education through Naval Systems Experience (SENSE) enterprise team attended the conference to present their year-long project: "Oscillating Wave Surge Converter: Shoreline Protection & Clean Energy". The team designed an oscillating surge wave energy converter (OSWEC) to dissipate the wave energy near the shore to protect the shoreline while harvesting clean energy for the community. Their prototype was…