Abstract
This study introduces a novel hybrid wave energy converter which combines heave and pitch mechanisms, designed for enhanced energy capture efficiency. This device can harness potential and kinetic energy of waves simultaneously. Experiments were carried out in a wave tank to evaluate the performance of this hybrid wave energy converter in a wide range of wave conditions in the laboratory. The experimental setup included a 1:20 and 1:40 scale model of the hybrid wave energy converter, with measurements taken for parameters such as free surface elevation, velocity, vertical displacement, vertical force, and rotation. The results demonstrated that the combination of heave and pitch motions significantly amplified the vertical forces and motion amplitudes experienced by the wave energy converter, especially at applied wave characteristics used in the current study. Quantitatively comparing, the combined heave and pitch mechanism outperformed the individual heave and pitch mechanisms. The computed energy obtained from the hybrid pitch point absorber was 1.1 and 9.5 times that of heave and pitch motions, respectively. This hybrid wave energy converter is superior compared to traditional heave or pitch converters, indicating its potential for practical energy production in ocean applications. Our findings indicate that the hybrid pitch point absorber wave energy converter can offer a better technique for efficient wave energy conversion, hence improving renewable energy technologies.