Abstract
This paper explores the realm and concept of micro-scale wave energy converters (WEC’s) as power sources for instrumentation and other low-power (≤50W average) ocean applications. We further discuss the possibilities & limitations for such a system. Wave energy devices have been used to provide low levels of remote power; most notably, Y. Masuda developed a very successful oscillating water column WEC system to power navigation buoys [1]. The vast majority of the work in wave energy to date, however, has been focused on the development of larger systems. This paper attempts to reconcile aspects of research and development of larger-scale WEC systems with what might be possible at a smaller scale. Importantly, we set a series of physical limitations on the converter that ensures it is deployable by at most one or two people. This work examines the most significant WEC archetypes that have been developed to date and addresses their performance within the above context of micro-scale power generation. We ultimately present two WEC archetypes that have the most potential for performance at a small scale. Further, we show that a well-designed micro-scale Wave Energy system can produce a constant annual power of around 25-50W that is somewhat independent of climate. Loss paths are examined and broken down and it becomes straightforward to see that geometric hull optimization has the largest potential to improve performance.