“Telescoping can” wave energy device beats test predictions by 20%

The Waveswing is a cylindrical metal buoy that’s tethered to a single point on the ocean floor. In operation, it stays beneath the surface and responds to water pressure changes. As a wave passes overhead, the pressure increase pushes down on the top ‘floater’ section of the device, sliding it downward relative to the lower’silo’ section, with a rolling seal ensuring no water gets in. As the floater moves up and down, it drives a hydraulic motor, which converts the linear motion into rotation. A regular electrical generator draws power from both the upward and downward strokes. The prototype machine captured an average of 10 kW, with peaks up to 80 kW, against its rated capacity of 16 kW. It can be fully deployed from sitting quayside to fully . . .