TY - GEN
T1 - HERO WEC V1: Design and Experimental Data Collection Efforts
AU - Jenne, Scott
AU - Panzarella, Justin
AU - Simms, Andrew
AU - Muglia, Michael
AU - Raye, Robert
AU - Nichols, Casey
AU - Bharath, Aidan
AU - Candon, Charles
AU - Schnabel, Alec
AU - McGilton, Ben
AU - Murphy, Mark
AU - Swartz, Kyle
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - The Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter (HERO WEC) is a research platform aimed at developing a modular, small-scale wave-powered desalination system for remote and disaster-response applications. Funded by the Department of Energy (DOE)'s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), the project aims to advance wave-powered desalination by developing and testing a small-scale, modular wave energy converter (WEC). The insights gained from this project will help guide the design and development of larger-scale wave energy devices as well as the integration of marine energy and reverse osmosis (RO) desalination. The HERO WEC was initially developed to derisk the Waves to Water prize, enabling the staff to practice WEC deployment and recovery, while optimizing installation protocols. The system features two primary operational modes: hydraulic and electric. In the hydraulic configuration, the device pumps seawater directly to an onshore RO system, while in the electric configuration, it provides power to an onshore power electronics subsystem, which is used to operate submersible pumps that supply sea water to the RO subsystem. Extensive laboratory and field testing, including multiple deployments at Jennette's Pier in North Carolina, focused on validating system performance, addressing energy conversion challenges, and understanding the mechanical and operational limits of wave energy converters. In 2023 the team implemented upgrades to improve corrosion resistance, energy conversion efficiency, and data collection. Preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of wave-powered desalination, though challenges remain in optimizing the system for long-term deployments in harsh marine environments. Future work will concentrate on refining the power take-off system, increasing component life, and improving the efficiency of the system. The HERO WEC project contributes valuable insights into wave energy conversion and the practical application of renewable energy powered desalination technologies, aiming to advance the broader fields of marine energy and water treatment.
AB - The Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter (HERO WEC) is a research platform aimed at developing a modular, small-scale wave-powered desalination system for remote and disaster-response applications. Funded by the Department of Energy (DOE)'s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), the project aims to advance wave-powered desalination by developing and testing a small-scale, modular wave energy converter (WEC). The insights gained from this project will help guide the design and development of larger-scale wave energy devices as well as the integration of marine energy and reverse osmosis (RO) desalination. The HERO WEC was initially developed to derisk the Waves to Water prize, enabling the staff to practice WEC deployment and recovery, while optimizing installation protocols. The system features two primary operational modes: hydraulic and electric. In the hydraulic configuration, the device pumps seawater directly to an onshore RO system, while in the electric configuration, it provides power to an onshore power electronics subsystem, which is used to operate submersible pumps that supply sea water to the RO subsystem. Extensive laboratory and field testing, including multiple deployments at Jennette's Pier in North Carolina, focused on validating system performance, addressing energy conversion challenges, and understanding the mechanical and operational limits of wave energy converters. In 2023 the team implemented upgrades to improve corrosion resistance, energy conversion efficiency, and data collection. Preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of wave-powered desalination, though challenges remain in optimizing the system for long-term deployments in harsh marine environments. Future work will concentrate on refining the power take-off system, increasing component life, and improving the efficiency of the system. The HERO WEC project contributes valuable insights into wave energy conversion and the practical application of renewable energy powered desalination technologies, aiming to advance the broader fields of marine energy and water treatment.
KW - desalination
KW - HERO WEC
KW - lab testing
KW - ocean deployment
KW - reverse osmosis
KW - wave
U2 - 10.2172/2482265
DO - 10.2172/2482265
M3 - Technical Report
ER -