Abstract
As climate change becomes a topic of increasing importance, and the demand for energy continues to grow, it is imperative that the world shifts its focus toward alternative, clean sources of energy. Ocean waves are a largely untapped resource that are just now beginning to emerge as a viable option. The UMaine Wave Energy Task Force is working to analyze the energy potential of ocean waves, specifically in surge. Along with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), WETF is working to optimize the design and performance of a model of an oscillating surge wave energy converter (OSWEC), which is to be tested in a wave tank. This device aims to capture the maximum amount of energy available in surge, with its motion being limited to a single degree of freedom. In order to capture the available power, an electromagnetic induction power take-off will be built and linked to the OSWEC. By analyzing the OSWEC in a variety of sea states, WETF hopes to contribute research to the rapidly expanding realm of wave energy conversion.