Page 135 - Fundamentals of Ocean Renewable Energy Generating Electricity From The Sea

126 Fundamentals of Ocean Renewable Energy

FIG. 5.10 Contrasting WEC technologies [11]. Note that the ‘inverted pendulum’ is more
commonly known as the oscillating wave surge converter.

Surface Point Absorber
Surface point absorbers are floating structures that absorb wave energy from all
directions (i.e. in contrast to an attenuator device). Point absorbers have rela-
tively small dimensions relative to typical wavelengths, and so have diameters
of a few metres. Examples of point absorbers are WaveBob and PowerBuoy
(Fig. 5.11).

Oscillating Wave Surge Converter
Oscillating wave surge converters (OWSCs) are formed of near-surface col-
lectors mounted on an arm pivoted near the seabed. The arm oscillates as an
inverted pendulum due to the movement of water particles in the waves. These
devices are also known as inverted pendulums. A well-known example of an
OWSC is the Oyster.