A comparative study on a pumping wave energy conversion system

The search for novel renewable energy resources led to investigate a resource, that was once considered a complex, unpredicted and difficult to be controlled, that is sea waves. It has attracted a particular attention in western Europe, as waves on the Atlantic coast seem to hold a huge energy that needs to be exploited. In the course of this paper, an introduction into wave energy, as well as, some examples on energy conversion systems are presented. As a study case, a pumping-type system with a vertical displacement is considered. A formulation of the forces acting on its floating part is done in order to calculate its average power. Three basic methods of controlling the proposed system are explained and compared taking into account the case of regular and irregular waves.