Linear electrical generator topologies for direct-drive marine wave energy conversion- an overview

Wave energy is one of the most attractive forms of renewable energy. The reasons include its promising availability, predictability, persistence, and power density. This study focuses on all linear generator designs and technologies which have been used so far in direct-drive wave energy converters (DD-WECs). Currently, linear permanent magnet generators (LPMG) have been proposed as the most advantageous generator system developed for DD-WECs. After a brief description of linear generator based wave energy converters, all proposed state-of-the-art of LPMG topologies available in the literature are discussed and compared in terms of flux path, core type, location of PMs, and etc. In addition, other linear generator technologies such as linear switched reluctance and linear superconducting generators, as an alternative to LPMGs, are reviewed. Finally, based on the surveyed quantitative comparisons performed in previous works, eight major concepts are evaluated in terms of economic and operational aspects.