Development of wave power generation system using a slit-type breakwater (Power improvement of bending plate type generator)

Abstract

A new type of wave power generation system was proposed by using bending plate type generator installed in a vertical slit type breakwater. The system has some advantage compared with other systems; namely, (i) no occupation of the sea surface, (ii) maintenance facility, and (iii) high energy efficiency by using accelerated flow from the slit of breakwater. The generator has a quite simple structure composed of a rectangular plate or cloth connected to a wheel and axle via a string set in the water chamber. When the wave drag bends the plate or cloth, a tension appears in the string and it rotates the wheel connected to a generator. In this report, the maximum output obtained in 1/12 scale model experiment was examined by changing the size of the bending plate. In addition, we also examined the float type power generation mechanism using the water level change in the water chamber and evaluated the output when combined with the bending plate. The experimental results showed that the output of the proposed system per unit sea area is superior to those of the other types of generators

Keywords

• wave power generation
• natural energy
• water wheel
• ocean engineering