Wave Energy Harvesting Prototype Design: Engineering Competency Report

This report presents a competency demonstration of a wave energy harvesting prototype design project. The project, undertaken as a final year undergraduate initiative, focused on developing a prototype for converting wave energy into electrical energy using Oscillating Wave Columns (OWC). The author, acting as team leader, details the project's background, objectives, and their specific contributions, including designing the OWC energy converter and electrical circuit. The report outlines the engineering knowledge applied, accomplishments, identified issues (like chamber strength and cost), and solutions implemented, such as using Perspex and cost-effective components. The project aimed to provide a renewable energy solution, addressing the growing concern over reliance on non-renewable energy sources. The author also highlights collaborative work and the project's overall contribution to sustainable energy solutions. This report offers valuable insights into wave energy conversion and prototype development, and Desklib offers similar resources for students.

COMPETENCY
DEMONSTRATION REPORT
Career Episode 1
ASANKA HEWAVITHARANA

CE 1.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Wave Energy Harvesting Prototype Designing
Location of the project: Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
Project Duration: Approximately Eight Months
Organization: Final Year Undergraduate Project, Faculty of Engineering, University of
Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
Role and Designation during the time: Team Leader
CE 1.2 Project Background
CE 1.2.1 Characteristics of the project
Energy consumption and so production, both have become the most critical factor for the
existence and development of the human kind. However, it the greatest concern for the current
situation to present an alternative source of energy without harvesting the natural resources. In
manner to full fill requirement of our undergraduate degree we had to deploy the project,
accordingly I had identified that wave energy harvesting could be an alternative option for the
economic benefit of the country and can be utilized to produce energy that. I studied
international journals related to this topic and followed the procedures and mechanisms
explained and tried to add my innovation in it. Through this researches I realized the new
tendency toward sea waves could economically beneficially and environmental friendly solution
to Sri lankas current power crisis.

I had developed a prototype for the wave energy harvesting in the laboratory in manner to
present an alternative source for the production of energy. I had identified that OWC (Oscillating
Wave Columns) could be the best option for the conversion of wave energy into electrical energy
and could be the effective and efficient technique for the power production.
CE 1.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
For the successful deployment of the model for generating power using wave energy I
had developed the objectives considering all the factors related to the project:
 To identify and implement the techniques of conversion of “wave energy to
electrical energy”.
 To produce electricity using renewable source of energy.
 To understand the aspects of “wave energy generator” designing.
 To design the “power electronic converter”.
 To design “wave energy conversion prototype”.
 To save electrical energy consumption produced through non-renewable source of
energy.
CE 1.2.3 My area of work
My area of work was to design a wave energy harvesting prototype device to generate
electric energy from sea waves inside the lab. As the team leader, I realized the importance of
teamwork and divided the team members to several groups in order to achieve identified aims
and objectives. I did the power generation part and the electrical and electronic circuit designing
and construction. I took the responsibility of designing the “OWC energy converter” in which I
had designed a prototype of the “ISLEY LYMPET Wave Energy Generator” and tried to
produce maximum output through minimizing the energy loss due to many factors. I had used a
fan in the place of the turbine that was a prototype of the bigger turbine and was expected to be

working in real same as it was designed. I had installed two generator units and implemented two
valves in manner to operate the fan separately and control the flow of the air inside the chamber.
CE 1.2.4 Project Group
CE 1.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
It was my responsibility to present the actual design of the real project and output of the
prototype is as efficient as it could be applicable in the real world. I had managed the activities,
schedule, and estimated the budget of the project. I had tried to keep the project within low
budget, constraints to be completed within the schedule, and each individual contribute their
precious skills in the development of the prototype. I was responsible for the electrical circuit

connections and construction of the energy conversion system and thus, I tried to utilize the wave
energy in effective manner and produce the maximum electricity.
CE 1.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 1.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
I had developed the prototype of the wave energy harvesting that can be utilized for the
production of electricity. I had used the wave energy for the production of mechanical force that
was used to rotate the turbine and thereafter, simple production of energy through using
magnetic field for the production of power. I had used the simple concept of conversion energy
for the production of electricity using wave energy.
CE 1.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I had implemented the theories I learned during my previous undergraduate years of the
energy production and conversion in this project and developed a successful prototype of the
“OWC wave energy converter”. I had used my skills of engineering for the maximum output
from the prototype of “ISLEY LYMPET Wave Energy Generator” and implemented
the generator in the design of this prototype. I had used my engineering
skills in utilizing the oscillation of the waves of the ocean or sea and
established a chamber of the LIMPET. I had highlighted that this compression
and decompression could be utilized to move the turbine and thus, produce
electricity.

CE 1.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
I had worked in the development of the OWC wave energy converter
and develop its prototype that can be utilized in an effective and efficient
manner for the production of the electricity. I had established the generator
with the chamber in manner to produce and collect the electricity generated
by this prototype design. I had two different turbines and connected those
through two different valves and both the turbines were of different ratings
and connected it to the top chamber. I had used the concept of “Faraday’s
law of electromagnetic induction” for the production of electricity through
utilizing the waves oscillation in the chamber.
CE 1.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
1.3.4.1 Issues
I had identified that the (bouncy effects that is) developed chamber should be below the
sea and thus, it must have higher strength to hold the pressure of the sea. We have to develop the
prototype of the wave energy converter and thus, the whole system could be a costly factor. I had
identified that there should not be any leakage in the chamber as it could affect the pressure
generated and thus, whole system could be destroyed.
1.3.4.2 Solutions
I had asked the team to use Perspex for the construction of the chamber in manner to
make it hold against the pressure of the sea water and make the system effective. We had used
several cost effective and small components of low cost in manner to keep the budget of the

project low. For example, I had used fan in the place of the turbine for the rotation of the rotor
and production of electricity.
CE 1.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
Using non-renewable sources energy for the production of the electricity is one of the
greatest concerns of the present time as with the passage of time, we are lacking in these natural
resources. I had developed this project after greater concern of this situation and thus, established
the prototype of the conversion of wave energy into electrical energy. This is a renewable energy
thus, it will eliminate the need of natural or renewable sources of energy. I had read many
scholar articles, research papers, and other mediums of knowledge and added my innovation in
this prototype for the development of an effective and efficient energy conversion system.
CE 1.3.6 Collaborative work
There were three other members in the team and every one had contributed in the
development of this project. I had leaded the team and tried to keep engaged every team member
and thus, everyone has contributed in their sectors of the job. I arranged meetings among us and
discussed the issues frequently. I had divide the project into different phases in manner to assign
different sectors to each members of the team. Project supervisor had also contributed in
supporting our thoughts and work and provided needed guidance on the development of this
prototype.

CE 1.4 Project Review
CE .4.1 Project Overview
I had presented this idea for the development of a system that is capable of feeding the
need of the power for present time through utilizing wave energy. I had selected the idea for this
prototype in manner to harvest the renewable source of energy for the production of the
electricity and eliminating the need of the natural resources as there is not much left for the
human kind. I had developed the prototype for the production of electricity through utilizing the
compression and decompression nature of the waves produced by sea or ocean and utilize it to
rotate turbine that in return could be used to produce electricity based on the application of the
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction.
CE 1.4.2 My contribution to work
I had successfully developed the prototype of the wave energy harvesting and utilizing
this harvested energy for the production of electricity using the basic concepts of electrical
engineering I had leaded the team towards accomplishing the objectives and constraints of the
project within the schedule and under low budget. I had contributed my skills and knowledge to
build the circuit system of the prototype and implemented these skills for the development of
OWC energy harvesting system. I realized the the cable arrangement is critical due to many
reasons such as lose contacts, cross connections, and arrange the cable arrangement using
standard colour code system. Further, I prepared AutoCad drawing for cabal arrangement for
future developments. Power generation was my sector and thus, executed my skills for the
production of electricity through utilizing wave energy.