Wave Energy Resource Research Articles

Regionalized ensemble estimation of wave periods for assessing wave energy resources across Canada. Part I: Improved wave-period modelling methodology

Large-scale estimations of wave periods are desired for wave energy assessment, ocean engineering, and wave climate research. Long-term global wave data from satellite altimeters are routinely applied to the estimations. However, this is challenged by uncertainties in wave-period models (WPMs), inaccuracies in data, and simplifications in modeling. Additionally, there exists a gap in the comprehensive examination of the variational mechanisms governing wave periods or model performances. As an effort to address them, we innovate a macroscale regionalized ensemble wave-period modeling (MREWPM) method by optimizing four wave-period models, driven by enhanced altimeter-based REWS (regionalized ensemble wave simulation) estimates of wave heights and wind speeds, within a regionalization framework in macroscale water environments. Results show that MREWPM driven by REWS dataset outperforms existing methods and performs better at larger scales (e.g., in eliminating local-scale overestimation). WPMs are more accurate over remote, deep, and windy regions in cool seasons under metrics-, scale- and data-dependent variations of performances with driving factors (mainly geographical features). This study serves as a foundational contribution towards the enhancement of wave-period simulations, the advancement of understanding wave-period dynamics, and the scientific evaluation of wave energy at macroscales.

Review of Wave Energy Resource Characterisation, Metrics, and Global Assessments

Review of Wave Energy Resource Characterisation, Metrics, and Global Assessments

Submerged and completely open solid–liquid triboelectric nanogenerator for water wave energy harvesting

AbstractTriboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is an emerging wave energy harvesting technology with excellent potential. However, due to issues with sealing, anchoring, and difficult deployment over large areas, TENG still cannot achieve large‐scale wave energy capture. Here, a submerged and completely open solid–liquid TENG (SOSL‐TENG) is developed for ocean wave energy harvesting. The SOSL‐TENG is adapted to various water environments. Due to its simple structure, it is easy to deploy into various marine engineering facilities in service. Importantly, this not only solves the problem of difficult construction of TENG networks at present, but also effectively utilizes high‐quality wave energy resources. The working mechanism and output performance of the SOSL‐TENG are systematically investigated. With optimal triggering conditions, the transferred charge (Qtr) and short‐circuit current (Isc) of SOSL‐TENG are 2.58 μC and 85.9 μA, respectively. The wave tank experiment is taken for fully demonstrating the superiority of the SOSL‐TENG network in large‐scale collection and conversion of wave energy. Due to the excellent output performance, TENG can harvest wave energy to provide power for various commercial electronic devices such as LED beads, hygrothermograph, and warning lights. Importantly, the SOSL‐TENG networks realizes self‐powered for electrochemical systems, which provides a direction for energy cleanliness in industrial systems. This work provides a prospective strategy for large‐scale deployment of TENG applications, especially for harvesting wave energy in spray splash zones or at the surface of the water.image

Targeting the high frequency tail of wave spectra for energy harvesting in marine sensor networks

While the conventional philosophy of wave energy conversion is to target the large amounts of power in the peak of the input wave spectrum, this study proposes that for the application of powering marine sensor networks (MSNs), it is advantageous to target the high frequency tail of the wave spectrum. This strategy is predicated on two primary advantages: the spatial and temporal persistence of the wave energy resource in the high-frequency region and its compatibility with the resonance characteristics of smaller MSN devices. To identify the optimal frequency range for energy harvesting, we conducted a detailed analysis of wave spectra across multiple coastal locations. This involved calculating and comparing the power spectra at different frequencies, using data from long-term wave measurements. The high-frequency tail was defined by determining the frequency above which the energy content showed consistent temporal and spatial stability across all study sites. The quantification of available power was achieved by integrating the wave power spectrum over the identified frequency range. Our case study, focusing on the coast of Queensland, Australia, reveals that frequencies above 2.5 rad/s consistently offer a stable and persistent energy resource. The available power in this range is quantified, totalling an average of 60 W/m, with additional analysis provided within narrower sub-bandwidths to address the inherent narrow-bandedness of wave energy harvesters. This research provides critical insights for the design of efficient wave energy harvesters tailored to the needs of diverse marine environments.

Wave energy assessment and wave converter applicability at the Pacific coast of Central America

Nowadays, numerous governments have instituted diverse regulatory frameworks aimed at fostering the assimilation of sustainable energy sources characterized by reduced environmental footprints. Solar, wind, geothermal, and ocean energies were subject to extensive scrutiny, owing to their ecological merits. However, these sources exhibit pronounced temporal fluctuations. Notably, ocean dynamics offer vast energy reservoirs, with oceanic waves containing significant amounts of energy. In the Central American Pacific context, the exploration of wave energy resources is currently underway. Accurate numerical wave models are required for applied studies such as those focused on the estimation of exploitable wave power; and even more so in Central American region of the Pacific Ocean where existing numerical models simulations have so far relied on coarse resolution and limited validation field data. This work presents a high-resolution unstructured wave hindcast over the Central American Pacific region, implemented using the third-generation spectral wave model WAVEWATCH III over the period between 1979 and 2021. The results of the significant wave height have been bias-corrected on the basis of satellite information spanning 2005 to 2015, and further validation was performed using wave buoy and acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) records located in the nearshore region of the Central America Pacific coast. After correction and validation of the wave hindcast, we employed the dataset for the evaluation and assessment of wave energy and its possible exploitation using different wave energy converters (WECs). This evaluation addressed the need to diverse the energy portfolio within the exclusive economic zones of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador in a sustainable manner. Moreover, a comprehensive analysis was carried out on the advantages of harnessing wave energy, juxtaposed with the imperative of regulatory frameworks and the current dearth of economic and environmental guidelines requisite for development within the region.

Integrated assessment of offshore wind and wave power resources in mainland Portugal

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of offshore wind and wave energy resources in mainland Portugal, aiming to facilitate sustainable energy exploitation. The study integrates the spatial distribution and temporal variability of those energy resources, as well as the interplay between wind and wave patterns and co-location feasibility. A 44-year dataset (1979–2022), derived from ERA5 reanalysis wind and SWAN wave model across the concession zones designated by the Portuguese government (labelled as P1 to P6) are utilised. The results indicate promising prospects for wind and wave power densities in these zones, emphasising the suitability of the offshore renewable energy extraction. Additionally, analysis revealed fluctuations in wind and wave power variability among the selected locations, with concession zone P3 (Leixões) emerging as a promising candidate due to its relatively lower variability and stable distribution patterns of both resources. The analysis on co-location feasibility demonstrated the potential for efficient energy extraction in location P5 proving to be the most favourable in wind-wave resource integration. Moreover, time lag analysis highlighted opportunities for optimising energy capture efficiency. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the sustainable exploitation of wind and wave power resources, contributing to deliver informed decision-making for renewable energy investment.

Numerical Simulation Method of Hydraulic Power Take-Off of Point-Absorbing Wave Energy Device Based on Simulink

Wave energy has a high energy density and strong predictability, presenting encouraging prospects for development. So far, there are dozens of different wave energy devices (WECs), but the mechanism that ultimately converts wave energy into electrical energy in these devices has always been the focus of research by scholars from various countries. The energy conversion mechanism in wave energy devices is called PTO (power take-off). According to different working principles, PTOs can be classified into the linear motor type, hydraulic type, and mechanical type. Hydraulic PTOs are characterized by their high efficiency, low cost, and simple installation. They are widely used in the energy conversion links of various wave energy devices. However, apart from experimental methods, there is currently almost no concise numerical method to predict and evaluate the power generation performance of hydraulic PTO. Therefore, based on the working principle of hydraulic PTO, this paper proposes a numerical method to simulate the performance of a hydraulic PTO using MATLAB(2018b) Simulink®. Using a point-absorption wave energy device as a carrier, a float hydraulic system power-generation numerical model is built. The method is validated by comparison with previous experimental results. The predicted power generation and conversion efficiency of the point-absorption wave energy device under different regular and irregular wave conditions are compared. Key factors affecting the power generation performance of the device were investigated, providing insight for the subsequent optimal design of the device, which is of great significance to the development and utilization of wave energy resources.

Temporal dynamics and extreme events in solar, wind, and wave energy complementarity: Insights from the Polish Exclusive Economic Zone

The Polish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Baltic Sea is an area of increasing strategic importance for Poland's pursuit of renewable energy, especially offshore wind. This research investigates the complementarity among solar, wind, and wave energy resources within the Polish EEZ to examine these energy sources' temporal dynamics, correlations, and extremes. The primary data source corresponds to a 31-year hourly time series dataset from the ERA5 reanalysis, whose reliability was evaluated through performance metrics. The results from complementarity metrics indicate varying levels of association among the three variable renewable energy resources (VRES) in the EEZ, spanning from weak similarity to weak complementarity. The findings of this research indicate that blackouts are most probable at offshore locations during winter and autumn for renewable power systems integrating wind and solar energy, with over 70 % of occurrences within these seasons. The investigation of extreme events highlights critical elements when evaluating VRES and their complementarity. This understanding aids in effectively planning and managing renewable energy systems, ensuring resilience and reliability under challenging weather conditions. Furthermore, while the complementarity may be consistent throughout the entire Polish EEZ, the feasibility and cost of implementing hybrid power systems can significantly vary between locations.

“Assessing the wave power density in the Atlantic French façade from high-resolution CryoSat-2 SAR altimetry data”

The wave energy resource potential and trends are assessed in coastal areas of the Atlantic French Façade. High-resolution satellite altimetry sea state estimates (significant wave height and backscatter coefficient) are used, taking advantage of the time and spatial coverage of ESA's CryoSat-2 mission data processed with the coastal zone SAMOSA + waveform retracker algorithm. Due to this novel retracker specifically designed for challenging regions like the coastal zone, the successful measurements of the significant wave height in the coastal zone allows us to solve previously difficult coastal issues such as land and calm water interference in the altimetry footprint. The study comprises 12 years, from January 2011 to December 2022, and applies a relatively simple empirical model to estimate the wave power density. Results are analyzed by season, showing the time of the year and location where the resource is abundant and identifying potential reserves of wave power. The highest value of the mean wave power density (27.1 kW/m) over the 12 years is found in the western sector and to the south of Belle-Île-en-mer, whereas the autumn, in which sea state conditions are less harsh for the extraction activity, appears as the most favorable season for extracting the wave resource. In conclusion, according to the estimated positive trend of wave power density, the wave resource is abundant in nearshore regions of the Atlantic French Façade and promising in view of its future exploitation. The study highlights the importance of an innovative methodology and the role of satellite data in enhancing the accuracy of wave energy assessments.

Wave energy resource classification system for the China East Adjacent Seas based on multivariate clustering

This study based on the 25-year wave hindcast database of the western Pacific and used three unsupervised learning clustering algorithms to classify the wave energy resources in the China East Adjacent Seas. Five wave energy characteristic parameters are comprehensively considered in the calculation process of the clustering algorithm. According to the analysis of the classification results, it can be seen that the Class Ⅳ is the most suitable for wave energy development in the China East Adjacent Seas, followed by the Class Ⅲ and Class Ⅴ. The Class Ⅵ is too far away from the coast to be used as the intended area for wave energy development. The Class Ⅰ is mostly located in inland seas and harbors, which are not suitable for wave energy development. By analyzing the annual average captured power, it can be seen that the optimal capture interval of the existing wave energy converters with mature technology is too large compared with the wave conditions in the China East Adjacent Seas. We should vigorously develop wave energy converters that are more suitable for the wave conditions of Class Ⅲ, Class Ⅳ and Class Ⅴ, and improve the capture efficiency of the wave energy converters.

A reconnaissance-level characterization of wave energy resource in the exclusive economic zones of Bay-of-Bengal

Bordering the Bay-of-Bengal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Myanmar possess significant potential for harnessing wave energy to address their growing energy crisis. This study aims to comprehensively characterize wave energy resources in the exclusive economic zones of the Bay-of-Bengal's littoral countries. The study utilizes 13 years of wave hindcasts obtained from WAVEWATCH-III, a widely used third-generation numerical wave model. Various approaches for characterizing wave energy resources were employed, including site accessibility analysis and extreme event analysis, which were overlooked in prior studies on Bay-of-Bengal. The research revealed that the mean wave energy flux in the Bay-of-Bengal is higher (16–39 kW/m) during the summer-monsoon season (July–October) and lower (2–12.5 kW/m) during the post-monsoon season (November–February). Consequently, the summer-monsoon season is deemed appropriate for energy harvesting, while the post-monsoon season is ideal for wave energy converter installation, servicing, or maintenance. The sea-state analysis demonstrated that the significant wave height and energy period of the most frequent and energetic sea-states in the Bay-of-Bengal range from 0.5 to 3.5 m and 4–16 s, respectively. Based on considerations of annual energy storage, resource stability, and wave energy converter survivability, the locations in the exclusive economic zones of Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands were identified as the most suitable for constructing wave power plants. The research findings presented herein can assist local authorities and stakeholders in the energy sector by facilitating a comparison of wave energy resources across different locations and determining the most suitable sites for wave power plant construction that align with their energy needs and goals. Additionally, the results can aid wave energy converter developers in planning tests in the Bay-of-Bengal, maintaining their devices, and evaluating potential sites for opportunities and risks.

Complementarity of offshore energy resources on the Spanish coasts: Wind, wave, and photovoltaic energy

The complementarity of the solar, wind, and wave energy resource in hybrid offshore platforms has the potential to increase productivity and reduce the variability in the energy output that a single type of energy source can generate. In this study, ERA5 reanalysis is used to calculate wind, solar and wave energy resources in Spanish potential locations for offshore platforms. The results indicate that wind energy presents the largest energy resource for all Spanish offshore regions, followed by photovoltaic energy. However, taking in count the “drought periods” (periods in which no energy is obtained from any of the analysed technologies), wave energy presents an opportunity to provide a continuous flow of energy, especially in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands. The evaluation of the complementarity of the three energy sources shows that the use of hybrid platforms would not only increase energy production but also reduce variability. In terms of energy production, wind energy along with solar energy are the largest energy generators. But in terms of minimizing variability, wave energy along with solar photovoltaic energy are the most important. Thus, this study is paving the way to introduce multiple energy converters on hybrid platforms as a pathway toward more powerful and sustainable energy production.

Spatial and temporal variability of wave energy resource in the eastern Pacific from Panama to the Drake passage

We analyse the wave energy resource available along the Pacific coast of South America from Panama from the latitude of 8°N to the Drake Passage at 55°S. The analysis is based on wave time series over 63 years (1959–2021) from the European Union Copernicus database constructed using the WAM wave model for the entire Pacific forced by wind information from ERA5. The novel features are the analysis of temporal variations in the wave energy flux, quantification of the contribution of swells and wind-seas into the wave energy potential, establishing properties of the most energy-carrying wave conditions, and evaluation of the role of El Niño and La Niña in the wave energy potential. The annual average wave energy flux increases from about 2 kW/m just to the north of the equator on the Colombian Pacific coast to 20–50 kW/m in the central and southern mainland of Chile and up to 80 kW/m near the Drake Passage. The wave energy resource to the north of latitude 32°S is almost entirely provided by swells. To the south of 44°S wind-seas predominate among the most energetic wave conditions and the maxima of energy flux by wind-seas up to 20 times exceed the already high average energy flux. The temporal variation in the wave energy flux follows the same pattern. It is fairly small at lower latitudes and increases rapidly from the forties. The magnitude of seasonal variation in terms of monthly mean wave energy flux is commonly from −47% to +32% from the long-term mean. The calmest time that contains 1% of the total annual energy flux is 10–20 days, about 10% of energy is contained in the 100 calmest days, while 50% of the annual energy flux arrives during the 100 days with strongest waves in the entire study area. The typical height of waves that provide the largest contribution to wave energy is about 1–1.5 m in the very north, around 1 m near the equator, gradually increases to the South and reaches 3.5–4 m on the shores of southern Chile. The associated wave periods are about 10 s in the entire study area. The wave energy flux has been almost constant over the 63 years near the equator but has increased at a rate up to 0.6 kW/m per year in the nearshore of Chile. For the evaluated time scales in coastal areas of South America, the interchange of El Niño and La Niña does not have detectable impact on the wave energy resource.

Design and Performance Evaluation of an Enclosed Inertial Wave Energy Converter with a Nonlinear Stiffness Mechanism

In order to enhance the power generation efficiency and reliability of wave energy converters (WECs), an enclosed inertial WEC with a magnetic nonlinear stiffness mechanism (nonlinear EIWEC) is proposed in this paper. A mathematical model of the nonlinear EIWEC was established based on the Cummins equation and the equivalent magnetic charge method, and the joint simulations were carried out using MATLAB/Simulink 2020 and AMESim 2020 softwares. The effect of the magnetic nonlinear stiffness mechanism (NSM) on the performance of the EIWEC system was investigated. The results show that the nonlinear negative stiffness property of NSM can significantly improve the motion response and output power of EIWEC under low-frequency waves. Compared to EIWEC without NSM (linear EIWEC), nonlinear EIWEC has a higher generation efficiency and wider frequency bandwidth. Additionally, the effects of linear spring, internal mass body, and hydraulic power take-off (PTO) system parameters on the energy conversion capability of the system were analyzed to provide a reference for the design of nonlinear EIWECs. In general, the proposed nonlinear EIWEC could provide good development potential for the scale utilization of wave energy resources.

Hydrodynamic performance of an elastic capsule oscillating water column type WEC: An experimental study

Wave energy represents a promising and sustainable source of energy with substantial potential. To promote the utilization of wave energy resources as well as develop new wave energy converters (WECs) with application prospects, an innovative elastic capsule oscillating water column (EC-OWC) WEC is proposed, and an initial experimental investigation is conducted on the device. Besides, the expansion characteristics of the elastic capsule and the motion characteristics of the free bulge wave are investigated through bulge wave tests. Moreover, the hydrodynamic performances of the device on the condition that coupled with traveling regular waves are investigated through wave tests, as well as the damping characteristics of the impulse turbine model and the ring-opening as power take-off (PTO) systems in the EC-OWC. It indicates that the variation in the speed of the free bulge wave is consistent with the one-dimensional longitudinal wave theory, that the ring-opening model with an opening ratio of 0.76 percent has comparable operating characteristics to the impulse turbine, and that the impulse turbine model has outstanding operating characteristics in the EC-OWC system. The maximum primary hydrodynamic efficiency of the system is approximately 0.475. When the relative water depth is in the interval of approximately 0.07-0.09, the efficiency can reach 0.4. Furthermore, the efficiency increases and subsequently decreases with the variation of the relative hydraulic head, and the efficiency reaches the maximum value when the relative tube length is around 1.6. The results indicate that the one-dimensional longitudinal wave theory can provide support for the design of the elastic capsule. When the capsule length is close to half a wavelength and the internal and external oscillation periods are matched, the system reaches a near-resonant state, and the level of efficiency is optimized. The bulge wave contained within the EC-OWC is a half-wavelength standing wave.

Powering the Blue Economy: Marine Energy at Kelp Farm Sites

Abstract Marine energy (ME) has the potential to power businesses in the blue economy. Kelp farms are an emerging maritime market of the blue economy and are predicted to grow, but they are not currently using ME for their power needs. As the number and size of kelp farms increase, more offshore power will be needed onsite for operations, monitoring, and harvesting. ME devices such as tidal current energy converters and wave energy converters (WECs) may be used to supply power for these needs. This article assesses the status of kelp farming in the continental United States, investigates the electricity needs of kelp farms, and examinesthe feasibility of generating the required electricity from wave and tidal current energy. The United States currently has 165 kelp farms that have either active or pending permits. The farms use electricity for boat operations, kelp drying, environmental monitoring, offshore lighting, and the raising and lowering of lines. Most kelp farms are in protected, nearshore waters that do not have significant wave energy resources. The limited available wave energy could be used to power small devices, but WECs have not yet been developed for that application. Some kelp farms are in locations that feature significant tidal energy resources, but small tidal current energy converters that are compatible with existing farm operations are not yet commercially available. As low-power WECs and tidal current energy converters are developed, kelp farms could be research partners and early adopters of the new technologies, which would encourage their broader use by other blue economy businesses.

Experimental assessment of combined sliding mode & moment-based control (SM[formula omitted]C) for arrays of wave energy conversion systems

Motivated by the lack of comprehensive experimental implementation and assessment of the potential benefit that can be achieved with energy-maximising optimal control solutions for arrays of wave energy converters (WECs), we present, in this paper, the development, design, experimental implementation, and performance appraisal, of optimal moment-based control for arrays of WEC systems. Both centralised and decentralised controllers are evaluated. Four different WEC array layout configurations are considered, with up to three 1:20 scale prototypes of the Wavestar WEC system operating simultaneously within the basin, subject to a variety of sea state conditions. In particular, the proposed controller, termed sliding-mode-moment-based controller SM2C, is composed of a receding-horizon moment-based reference generation process, and a subsequent proportional–integral–derivative-like continuous sliding mode tracking controller. This composite control structure is implemented and assessed experimentally, providing a detailed analysis of key performance metrics. We show that the proposed SM2C strategy is able to maximise energy absorption for all the considered WEC array layouts, with up to 2.8 times energy improvement when compared to the benchmark controller case. The findings of this experimental study show tangible proof of the performance enhancement that can be achieved in real arrays of WEC systems with the use of appropriate control technology, demonstrating not only the feasibility of the proposed SM2C strategy in itself, but the key role that control systems have to play in the pathway towards effective exploitation of the yet largely untapped wave energy resource.

Energy capture performance enhancement of point absorber wave energy converter using magnetic tristable and quadstable mechanisms

This paper proposes two magnetic multistable (tristable and quadstable) mechanisms to enhance the energy capture performance of point absorber wave energy converters (PAWECs) for low-amplitude waves. Accordingly, two mechanisms consisting of several coaxial magnetic rings are designed based on the superposition effect of magnetic fields. Compared with conventional magnetic bistable mechanisms, the proposed tristable and quadstable mechanisms feature lower potential barriers and greater distances between two outermost potential wells, facilitating the occurrence of large-amplitude interwell motions in low-amplitude waves. A mathematical model is established using the Cummins equation and equivalent magnetic charge approach to depict the dynamic behavior and performance of PAWECs. The energy capture performance and average annual output power of PAWECs with tristable and quadstable mechanisms are evaluated for regular and irregular waves. The findings demonstrate that the two mechanisms significantly improve the energy conversion efficiency, enhancing their robustness against low-amplitude waves and damping detuning. The design concept of nonlinear multistable PAWECs using the superposition effect of magnetic fields provides a promising alternative for exploiting wave energy resources with low energy densities.

Long-term variability analysis of wave energy resources and its impact on wave energy converters along the Chinese coastline

The long-term variability of wave energy resources will affect the practical decadal application of wave energy converters. This paper has evaluated the distributions and long-term trend of wave energy resources in the sea regions along the Chinese coastline for 83 years based on reliable ERA5 wave reanalysis data from 1940 to 2022 after verifying by 39 local buoys, and found that it is of great potential to develop and apply wave energy resources projects. The long-term trend analysis of the wave energy density and its major contributing wave parameters, significant wave height, and wave energy period, is carried out using Theil-Sen estimation showing the general positive tendency. And the impacts of the decadal variation on four wave energy converters are evaluated via computing the decadal mean power production by combining the wave energy density and the wave energy characteristic. It is verified that the long-term wave energy density in this region increases along with the decrease in power production and the capture width. This study shows that long-term variability of wave energy resources and wave energy characteristics should also be considered in the designing of WECs and the identification of energy hotspots.

Balancing power production and coastal protection: A bi-objective analysis of Wave Energy Converters

Wave Energy Converters (WECs) have the potential to serve dual purposes, generating power and protecting coastlines. Although traditionally the focus has been on maximizing power generation for cost-effectiveness, growing impacts of climate change have made coastal protection increasingly imperative. However, power production and coastal protection have been addressed separately, missing potential synergies. This paper addresses this gap by conducting a bi-objective analysis to investigate the interactions between power extraction and wave attenuation for a single Oscillating Surge Wave Converter (OSWC) and WEC farms of three and five units.A linear Power Take-Off (PTO) system, with passive and reactive control strategies, is examined. By varying the PTO parameters, we assess their influence on both power production and wave field attenuation. Results demonstrate a significant impact of the PTO choice on wave attenuation, with a similar trend observed for power production. This finding highlights the potential for a trade-off, where maximizing wave attenuation may come at the cost of moderate energy output. Furthermore, the interactions observed within the WEC farms enhance this trend.The study emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to WEC technology development, promoting sustainable and resilient harnessing of wave energy resources, considering both power generation and coastal protection.