Coastal Structures and Solutions to Coastal Disasters Joint Conference 2015
Technical Advances in the Development of a Floating WEC: MICO
Publication: Coastal Structures and Solutions to Coastal Disasters 2015: Resilient Coastal Communities
ABSTRACT
The mechanical and hydrodynamic efficiency of a new wave energy converter device, called MICO, is presented in this paper. MICO is a point absorber WEC, consisting of a floating buoy attached to a long lever that conveys the mechanical energy to the generator. The device was tested in a wave flume at the National University of Mexico, using a small-scale model. The experimental work focused on improving the design of the WEC and obtaining empirical relations to determine its optimal geometry as a function of wave conditions. Results from these tests gave the optimum dimensions for the diameter of the buoy and the length of the lever, as well as information on the sea states for which the device would have best responses. The experimental results showed that MICO is more efficient in sea climates with steep waves, i.e. short periods associated with large wave heights. The main advantages of MICO are its low maintenance costs and its environmentally friendly operation.
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REFERENCES
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Published In
Coastal Structures and Solutions to Coastal Disasters 2015: Resilient Coastal Communities
Pages: 498 - 506
Editors: Louise Wallendorf, U.S. Naval Academy and Daniel T. Cox, Ph.D., Oregon State University
ISBN (Online): 978-0-7844-8030-4
Copyright
© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jul 11, 2017
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