Niche applications and flexible devices for wave energy conversion: A review

Emiliano Renzi; Simone Michele; Siming Zheng; Siya Jin; Deborah Greaves

doi:10.3390/en14206537

Niche applications and flexible devices for wave energy conversion: A review

Emiliano Renzi^*, Simone Michele, Siming Zheng, Siya Jin, Deborah Greaves

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

58 Citations (Scopus)

58 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

We review wave energy conversion technologies for niche applications, i.e., kilowatt-scale systems that allow for more agile design, faster deployment and easier operation than utility scale systems. The wave energy converters for niche markets analysed in this paper are classified into breakwater-integrated, hybrid, devices for special applications. We show that niche markets are emerging as a very vibrant landscape, with several such technologies having now achieved operational stage, and others undergoing full-scale sea trials. This review also includes flexible devices, which started as niche applications in the 1980s and are now close to commercial maturity. We discuss the strong potential of flexible devices in reducing costs and improving survivability and reliability of wave energy systems. Finally, we show that the use of WECs in niche applications is supporting the development of utility-scale projects by accumulating field experience, demonstrating success stories of grid integration and building confidence for stakeholders.

Original language	English
Article number	6537
Number of pages	25
Journal	Energies
Volume	14
Issue number	20
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206537
Publication status	Published - 12 Oct 2021
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

Flexible wave energy converters
Niche applications
Wave energy

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10.3390/en14206537Licence: CC BY

Renzi_et_al_ENERGIES_2021Final published version, 5.39 MBLicence: CC BY

https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Niche_applications_and_flexible_devices_for_wave_energy_conversion_A_review/16803106Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Niche applications and flexible devices for wave energy conversion: A review",

abstract = "We review wave energy conversion technologies for niche applications, i.e., kilowatt-scale systems that allow for more agile design, faster deployment and easier operation than utility scale systems. The wave energy converters for niche markets analysed in this paper are classified into breakwater-integrated, hybrid, devices for special applications. We show that niche markets are emerging as a very vibrant landscape, with several such technologies having now achieved operational stage, and others undergoing full-scale sea trials. This review also includes flexible devices, which started as niche applications in the 1980s and are now close to commercial maturity. We discuss the strong potential of flexible devices in reducing costs and improving survivability and reliability of wave energy systems. Finally, we show that the use of WECs in niche applications is supporting the development of utility-scale projects by accumulating field experience, demonstrating success stories of grid integration and building confidence for stakeholders.",

keywords = "Flexible wave energy converters, Niche applications, Wave energy",

author = "Emiliano Renzi and Simone Michele and Siming Zheng and Siya Jin and Deborah Greaves",

note = "Funding Information: Funding: E.R. and S.M.{\textquoteright}s research was funded by a Royal Society—CNR International Fellowship, UK (Grant NF170771). D.G. and S.J. gratefully acknowledge the EPSRC for supporting part of this work through EP/S000747/1.",

year = "2021",

month = oct,

day = "12",

doi = "10.3390/en14206537",

language = "English",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Niche applications and flexible devices for wave energy conversion

T2 - A review

AU - Renzi, Emiliano

AU - Michele, Simone

AU - Zheng, Siming

AU - Jin, Siya

AU - Greaves, Deborah

N1 - Funding Information: Funding: E.R. and S.M.’s research was funded by a Royal Society—CNR International Fellowship, UK (Grant NF170771). D.G. and S.J. gratefully acknowledge the EPSRC for supporting part of this work through EP/S000747/1.

PY - 2021/10/12

Y1 - 2021/10/12

N2 - We review wave energy conversion technologies for niche applications, i.e., kilowatt-scale systems that allow for more agile design, faster deployment and easier operation than utility scale systems. The wave energy converters for niche markets analysed in this paper are classified into breakwater-integrated, hybrid, devices for special applications. We show that niche markets are emerging as a very vibrant landscape, with several such technologies having now achieved operational stage, and others undergoing full-scale sea trials. This review also includes flexible devices, which started as niche applications in the 1980s and are now close to commercial maturity. We discuss the strong potential of flexible devices in reducing costs and improving survivability and reliability of wave energy systems. Finally, we show that the use of WECs in niche applications is supporting the development of utility-scale projects by accumulating field experience, demonstrating success stories of grid integration and building confidence for stakeholders.

AB - We review wave energy conversion technologies for niche applications, i.e., kilowatt-scale systems that allow for more agile design, faster deployment and easier operation than utility scale systems. The wave energy converters for niche markets analysed in this paper are classified into breakwater-integrated, hybrid, devices for special applications. We show that niche markets are emerging as a very vibrant landscape, with several such technologies having now achieved operational stage, and others undergoing full-scale sea trials. This review also includes flexible devices, which started as niche applications in the 1980s and are now close to commercial maturity. We discuss the strong potential of flexible devices in reducing costs and improving survivability and reliability of wave energy systems. Finally, we show that the use of WECs in niche applications is supporting the development of utility-scale projects by accumulating field experience, demonstrating success stories of grid integration and building confidence for stakeholders.

KW - Flexible wave energy converters

KW - Niche applications

KW - Wave energy

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85117271065

U2 - 10.3390/en14206537

DO - 10.3390/en14206537

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:85117271065

SN - 1996-1073

VL - 14

JO - Energies

JF - Energies

IS - 20

M1 - 6537

ER -

Niche applications and flexible devices for wave energy conversion: A review

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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