Performance of a flap-type wave energy converter on the Uruguayan Atlantic coast

Abstract

Marine energy is an untapped resource, which could make a significant contribution to the renewable and clean energy generation matrix. Amongst the marine sources, wave energy is the most promising one in a microtidal and template zone like the Uruguayan oceanic coast. In this article the performance of a flap-type wave energy converter was analyzed in the basis of an analytical model and spectra wave hindcast data at a specific location of the Uruguayan coast. The results of our study allowed us to estimate the amount of energy that may be harvest for this particular site and device.