Development of a Wave Power Generation System using a Slit Type Breakwater

(Performance of Bending Plate Type Generator in 1/5 Scale Experiment)

Abstract

A new wave power generation system is proposed to be installed in a vertical slit type breakwater. The merits of the system are as follows: (i) no occupation of sea surface, (ii) low cost maintenance, and (iii) high energy efficiency by using accelerated flow from the slit of breakwater. In this study, a new, higher efficiency generator is proposed. An elastic rectangular plate connected to a wheel and axle via a wire is set in the water chamber. When the wave drag bends the plate, tension appears in a wire causes rotation of a wheel connected to a generator. To estimate the power of the proposed system at full scale, the wave energy flowing into the breakwater was simulated numerically. The results show that more than 60% of the wave energy is collected in the water chamber behind the slit with a small opening ratio. Although the output power of the bending plate is rather small, the power per unit of occupied sea area is somewhat superior to that of existing systems.