The National Laboratory of the Rockies and University of Hawaii at Manoa jointly deployed SURF-WEC, a small-scale wave energy converter, off Makai Research Pier in Oahu, Hawaii. The device represents an effort to address critical data gaps in the marine energy field, which researchers describe as significantly under-resourced in terms of open-ocean deployments and shared experimental information.
The SURF-WEC operates by using a buoyant flap roughly the size of a large television screen that oscillates with passing waves. This motion drives a hydraulic system that builds pressure over time, eventually spinning a motor connected to a generator to produce electricity. A distinctive feature of the system is its ability to be remotely adjusted to operate in both passive and active modes, allowing researchers to test different energy-capture strategies. Passive systems harvest energy without adapting to wave conditions, while active systems adjust in real time, though they consume additional energy to operate their sensors and controls.
The device development involved extensive preparation, including hydrodynamic modeling using wave simulation tools, component construction and testing at NLR’s Colorado facility, and validation of the hydraulic and power systems. Researchers developed MODAQ 2.0, a custom data-and-control platform to monitor system performance and enable remote operations. Following laboratory validation, the system was sealed and reinforced to withstand ocean conditions.
Deployment to Hawaii presented logistical and environmental challenges. A powerful Kona storm approached Oahu just before the scheduled deployment, forcing researchers to secure only the frame initially. Using real-time data from nearby monitoring buoys, the team ran updated simulations to reassess system performance. After the storm passed, the remaining components were installed offshore and anchored to the seabed, with cables connecting the system back to the research pier for data collection and monitoring.
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