WASHINGTON, D.C. – Wave energy technology, poised to potentially revolutionize renewable energy production, faces significant hurdles in proving its long-term durability in the harsh marine environment. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and its partners are working to develop methods for assessing the survivability of these devices, ensuring they can withstand the relentless forces of the ocean and deliver consistent power generation.
The promise of wave energy lies in its vast, untapped potential. Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth's surface, presenting a massive resource capable of generating clean electricity. However, converting the kinetic energy of waves into usable power is a complex engineering challenge, particularly when considering the corrosive saltwater, powerful storms, and biofouling that can degrade and damage wave energy converters (WECs).
"Deploying technologies in the open ocean is a fundamentally different challenge than designing them in a lab," said Dr. Kelley Ruehl, an NREL senior engineer specializing in marine energy. "You need to account for a whole host of environmental stressors that can impact performance and longevity."
One of the primary focuses of NREL’s research is on developing standardized testing methodologies to evaluate the structural integrity and operational reliability of WECs. These tests often involve accelerated aging simulations, subjecting components to extreme conditions to predict their performance over years of operation. This rigorous testing is crucial to de-risking investments in wave energy and paving the way for commercialization.
A key area of concern is the impact of biofouling – the accumulation of marine organisms on submerged surfaces. Biofouling can significantly reduce the efficiency of WECs by adding weight, increasing drag, and interfering with moving parts. NREL is researching various anti-fouling coatings and strategies to mitigate this issue without harming the marine ecosystem.
Another major challenge is developing WECs capable of surviving extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and tsunamis. These events can exert tremendous forces on structures, potentially causing catastrophic damage. NREL is working on advanced hydrodynamic modeling and simulation techniques to better understand how WECs respond to these forces and to design more resilient devices.
Beyond physical testing, NREL is also leveraging data analytics and machine learning to improve the reliability and performance of WECs. By analyzing sensor data collected from deployed devices, researchers can identify potential failure modes and optimize control systems to enhance energy capture and reduce maintenance requirements.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is supporting several wave energy test facilities across the country, including PacWave in Oregon and the Aloha Natural Energy Institute Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) in Hawaii. These facilities provide controlled environments for testing WECs under real-world ocean conditions. The data collected from these tests is invaluable for validating models and improving the design of future WECs.
"These test sites are crucial for accelerating the development of wave energy technology," explained Ruehl. "They allow developers to test their devices in a realistic marine environment and to gather the data needed to improve their performance and reliability."
While significant challenges remain, the potential benefits of wave energy are immense. By developing robust and reliable WECs, the United States can unlock a vast, untapped renewable energy resource, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. The ongoing research and development efforts at NREL and its partners are crucial steps towards making wave energy a viable and competitive source of power. Future advancements in materials science, control systems, and predictive modeling will further enhance the survivability and performance of WECs, ultimately leading to the widespread adoption of wave energy technology.
