Experimental study on the effects of external electrical resistance on the efficiency of a point absorber wave energy converter

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of external electrical resistance on a point absorber wave energy converter to achieve the best efficiency through model tests. The point absorber wave energy converter is composed of three systems, which extract, transmit and convert wave energy into electricity. Two types of efficiency, extraction-transmission and power efficiencies, are discussed. Under the conditions of the study, the results show the maximum extraction-transmission efficiency can reach 73% and the power efficiency can reach 67% for the wave height of 20 cm, the wave period of 1.6 s, and the speed ratio of 1:9.46.