Experimental and Technoeconomic Analysis Study on Point Absorber Wave Energy Converter on Indian Sites

Abstract

This study optimizes, scales, and evaluates the technoeconomic feasibility of a point absorber wave energy converter for electricity generation along the Indian coast. A linear generator-based power take-off system is optimized based on a scale-down model. Three float shapes—cuboid, hemisphere, and trapezoidal with fin—are tested for displacement, force, power generation, and efficiency. The trapezoidal float with fin demonstrates superior performance, achieving the highest root mean square voltage and primary efficiency. At a wave height of 0.15 m, it generates root mean square voltage of 8.5 V, outperforming the cuboid (6.2 V) and hemisphere (5.7 V) shapes of float. Its primary efficiency reaches 33% at 0.04 m wave height, compared to 20% for other floats. Using Froude similarity, the optimized lab-scale prototype is scaled up. Wave data of two specific sites Kudal and Nagarkoi of the Indian Ocean are used for this purpose. A technoeconomic analysis reveals that Nagarkoi achieves a lower levelized cost of energy of 0.07 $ kWh⁻¹, compared to 0.15 $ kWh⁻¹ for Kudal. These findings demonstrate that point absorber wave energy converter can provide cost-effective ocean energy when deployed at scale, supporting the commercialization of wave energy technology in India.