Direct‐Drive wave energy conversion with linear generator: A review of research status and challenges

Abstract

Ocean wave energy is sustainable and renewable energy, wave energy conversion (WEC) effectively solves the disadvantage of traditional power system with fossil energy. WEC system is the power generation process that converts wave kinetic energy of undulation and swing into electric energy, and direct-drive WEC system (D-DWEC) converts wave energy into electric power directly by linear generator to improve the efficiency. At present, the research of WEC system has the characteristic of interdisciplinary, multi-system integration, engineering application, and commercial operation. This paper summarizes the types, principle, and classification of WEC system, mainly focusing on the aspects of the kinds and characteristics of linear generators used in D-DWEC system, power post-processing, and power control methods. At the end of the paper, giving the development trend and challenges of D-DWEC technology, the research of ocean complementary energy generation platform with offshore wind, solar and ocean wave energy is analysed. It shows that the platform has advantages owing to stable power output, efficient utilization, ocean saving-space, and power generation cost reduction.