Wave Energy

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 1
WAVE ENERGY SITES

The Pacific Coast of North America.
California Coast

The Arabian Sea of India and Pakistan.

India – Coastal areas in Tamilnadu,
Kerala and Gujarat.

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 2
Wave Power
 The concept of capturing and
converting the energy available in the
motion of ocean waves to energy.

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 3
 w

Area
λ

a
y Crest
λ
dx a 2
a
0 λ x
Trough
Wave at time 0

y λ nθ
nθ +
nθ
λ+
2 m m
m
x

Wave at time θ

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 4
A two-dimensional progressive wave that has a free surface
and is acted upon by gravity (figure 1.) is characterized
by the following parameters:

λ = wave length = cτ, m

a = amplitude, m
2a = height (from crest to trough), m
τ = Period, s
f = frequency= 1/ τ, s-1
c = wave propogation velocity λ/ τ, m/s
n = phase rate = 2Π/ τ, sec-1

The period τ and wave velocity c depend upon the

wavelength and the depth of water .

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 5
 The relationship between wavelength and period
can therefore be well approximated by
λ = 1.56 τ2 (λ in m, τ in s) (1)

The figure 1. shows an isometric of a two-dimensional

progressive wave, represented by the sinusoidal
simple harmonic wave shown at time 0.
Cross sections of the wave are also shown at
time 0 and at time θ. That wave is expressed by
2π 2π
y = a sin ( x − θ) ( 2)
λ τ
or y = a sin (mx-nθ) (3)
where y = height above its mean level, m
θ = time, s
m = 2Π/ λ, m-1
(mx-nθ) = 2 Π (x/ λ - θ/τ) = phase angle, dimensionless
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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 6
 Note that the wave profile at time θ
has the same shape as that at time 0,
except that it is displaced from it by
a distance x = θ/ τ = θ (n/m).
When θ = τ, x= λ and
the wave profile assumes its original position.

In reality a given particle of water rotates in place

in an elliptical path in the plane of wave propagation,
with specified horizontal and vertical semiaxes,
as can be witnessed when placing a cork on water,
The paths of water particles of different depths
but with the same mean position are shown in figure 2.

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 7
Elliptical paths of water
particles at different heights

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 8
 The horizontal and vertical semiaxes of the
ellipses are given, respectively, by
cosh mη
α=a (4)
sinh mh
sinh mη
β=a (5)
sinh mh

where α = horizontal semiaxis

β = vertical semiaxis
h = depth of water
η = distance from the bottom
The above equations show that in general α > β,
that β varies from 0 at the bottom where η = 0 to a,
at the surface where η = h, and that for large depths α ≈ β ≈ a
and the motion is essentially circular at the surface.

A wave therefore possesses both pot. and kinetic energies.

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 9
Energy and Power from
Waves

Potential Energy:

The potential energy arises from the

elevation of the water above the mean
sea level (y = 0). Considering a
differential volume y dx, it will have a
mean height y/2.

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 10
 Potential Energy
Thus the P.E. is

yg yg
dPE = m = (ρ y dx L )
2g c 2g c
ρL 2 g
= y dx (6)
2 gc
where
m = mass of liquid in y dx, kg
g = gravitational acceleration, m / s 2
(
g c = conversion factor 1.0 kg.m / N.s 2 )
ρ = water density, kg / m 3
L = arbitrary width of the two − dim ensional wave, perp. to the dirn. of wave propogation x , m

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 11
Potential Energy
Combining Eqs. (6) and (3) and integrating gives
λ
ρLa 2 g
∫ (mx − nθ) dx
2
PE = sin
2 gc 0
λ
ρLa 2 g  1 1 
=  mx − sin 2mx 
2m g c  2 4 0
ρLa 2 g  mλ 
=
2m g c  2 
1 g
= ρ a2 λ L (7)
4 gc

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 12
Potential Energy
The Pot. Energy Density per unit area is ,
where , is then given by

PE 1 g
= ρ a2 (8)
A 4 gc

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 13
Kinetic Energy
The kinetic energy of the wave is that of
the liquid between two vertical planes
perpendicular to the direction of wave
propagation x and placed one wavelength
apart. From hydrodynamic theory it is
given by

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 14
 Kinetic Energy
1 g
KE = i ρ L ∫ ω dϖ (9)
4 gc

Where ω is a complex potential given by

ac
ω= cos(mz − nθ) (10)
sinh(mh)
and z is distance measured from an arbitrary reference point. The
integral in the above equation is performed over the cross-sectional
area bounded between two vertical planes.

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 15
Kinetic Energy
The result is

1 2 g
KE = ρa (λL) (11)
4 gc

and the kinetic energy density is

KE 1 2 g
= ρa (12)
A 4 gc

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 16
Total Energy and Power
It can be seen that the potential and kinetic
energies of a progressive sine wave are
identical, so that the total energy E is half
potential and half kinetic. The total energy
density is thus given by

E 1 2 g
= ρa (13)
A 2 gc

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 17
Total Energy and Power
Thus the power density, W/m2, is given
by
P E
= xf
A A

P 1 2 g
= ρa f (14)
A 2 gc

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 18
Problem on Wave Energy
Prob. A 2-m wave has a 6-s period and occurs at the surface of
water 100 m deep. Find the wavelength, the wave velocity,
the horizontal and vertical semi axes for water motion at
the surface, and the energy and power densities of the
wave. Water density = 1025 kg/m3
Sol :
Wavelength λ = 1.56 Χ 62 =56.16 m
Wave velocity c = λ/τ = 9.36 m/s
Wave height 2a = 2 m
Amplitude a = 1 m
m = 2Π/λ = 2Π/56.16 = 0.1119 m-1
At the surface η = h = 100 m
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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 19
Problem on Wave Energy
cosh 11.19
Horizontal semiaxis α = 1 × = 1m
sinh 11.19

sinh 11.19
Vertical semiaxis β = 1 × =1 m
sinh 11.19

Wave frequency f=1/τ = 1/6 s

Energy density E 1 9.81

= × 1025 × 12 × = 5027.6 J / m2
A 2 1

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 20
Problem on Wave Energy
Power density P E 1
= f = 5027.6 × = 837.9 W / m 2
A A 6
Because of large depth, the semiaxes are equal,
so the motion is circular.
Semiaxes are small compared with the
wavelength, so the water motion is primarily
vertical.

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 21
 WAVE ENERGY CONVERTERS :

Wave energy generation devices fall into two categories –

fixed generating devices, and floating devices

Fixed generating devices are mounted to the ocean floor or shoreline,

and have significant advantages over floating systems where
maintenance costs are high.
The most promising fixed generating device technology is the
Oscillating Water Column (OWC), which uses a two-step procedure
to generate electricity.

Requirements of OWC wave energy converter:

Latitudes between 40-60 degrees,

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 22
 Summary of principles of the energy conversion chain

Type of energy conversion Structure / device Efficiency

Frequency and load

Wave to pneumatic Oscillating water column
(turbine + generator) dependent

Non-linear, load (generator)

Pneumatic to mechanical Wells turbine
dependent
Mechanical to electrical Slip-ring induction generator Linear system

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 23
WAVE ENERGY PLANT IN INDIA

Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala in October

1991.
The civil, mechanical and electrical systems of the plant were
designed and fabricated indigenously. The rated capacity of the plant
is 150 kW, with an energy output of 4.45 lakh unitsyear. It operates on
the principle of Oscillating Water Column.

Thus, generation of electricity from ocean waves become a distinct

reality in October 1991 .
The plant continues to generate, electricity which is fed into the grid of
Kerala State Electricity Board.

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 24
 Oscillating Water Column (OWC) Wave Energy Conversion System

Air out Air in

Turbine ● ● ● ●
Turbine

Air flow Air flow

● ●
● ●

Wave
Chamber rising Wave direction Chamber Wave Wave direction
falling

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 25
WAVE ENERGY CONVERTERS

OFFSHORE AND SHORELINE OWC

WAVE ENRGY CONVERSION BY FLOATS

HYDRAULIC ACCUMULATOR WAVE MACHINE

DOLPHIN TYPE WAVE POWER MACHINE

DAM – ATOLL WAVE MACHINE

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 26
Government's Initiative

UK Govt: 10 % of Electricity from
Renewables by 2010

India: Power to all by 2012
Renewable Energy Plan

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 27
5E Formula in human life
Importance of 5E in human life :

Ecology

Ethic

Economy

Energy

Esthetic

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 28
 CONCLUSIONS

 Tidal Energy

Intermittent nature of tidal power

Tidal Power Plants: Reliable, Life span : 75-100 Yrs.,
High Capital cost, Low continuous power output;

 Ocean Wave Energy Conversion Technology

 Uncertain future because of several difficulties in
constructing reliable, safe, economical and durable
Ocean Wave Energy Plants.

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 29
R & D Issues

Wave Energy: cost reduction, efficiency and
reliability improvements, identification of
suitable sites, interconnection with the utility
grid, better understanding of the impacts of
the technology on marine life and the
shoreline. Also essential is a demonstration of
the ability of the equipment to survive the
salinity and pressure environments of the
ocean as well as weather effects over the life
of the facility.

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 30
WHY RENEWABLES ?

ENERGY COST

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

 NEED OF THE HOUR : Encouraging

Renewables to generate
“GREEN POWER”
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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 31
 Thank you !

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Dec. 18, 2004 Deptt, GCOE, Amravati 32