Preliminary Development of a Small-Scale Prototype for a Novel Wave Energy Converter

Wave energy has significant potential, yet its contribution compared to other renewable energy sources remains relatively small. Despite its advantages-such as high energy density, excellent predictability, and low variability-the exploitation of this resource faces several challenges. In this context, the preliminary development of a novel Wave Energy Converter (WEC) is presented in this paper. The design and operating principle of the device are detailed, and a comparison is made with existing WEC devices found in the literature. The construction of a scaled-down prototype is described, outlining the main steps involved in its development. In addition, an analytical model is derived to provide initial performance estimates and to assist in the selection and sizing of the sensors for operation and performance measurement.