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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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DOE OSTI2026

Advancing the HERO WEC Through Integrated Modeling, Testing, and Field Deployments: Preprint

The Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter (HERO WEC) was developed by the National Laboratory of the Rockies as a modular platform for advancing wave-powered desalination technologies. Designed to operate in either a hydraulic or electric configuration, the system enables direct comparison of mechanical-to-water and electrical-to-water conversion pathways using a single hardware architecture. Deployments at the Jennette's Pier test site in 2022 and 2024 demonstrated freshwater production between 60 and 300 gallons per day, including successful operation in wave heights as low as 0.25 m. A structured evaluation approach combining numerical modeling of hydrodynamic and PTO response, controlled laboratory testing, and in-ocean field deployments has been used to characterize and refine system performance. Insights from these efforts are now informing the second-generation HERO WEC (V2), which incorporates improved drivetrain components, refined geometry, enhanced control systems, and design updates aimed at increasing robustness and long-duration survivability. The HERO WEC platform continues to serve as an open-access research asset supporting broader marine energy and desalination development.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2024

Numerical Modeling and Optimization of the iProTech Pitching Inertial Pump (PIP) Wave Energy Converter (WEC) (Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number: CRD-22-22968)

This work generated a first-of-its-kind automated workflow to couple time-domain simulations of wave energy converters written in one software language with a set of design generation and evaluation scripts written in another software language. This automated workflow used an existing optimization package to analyze the sensitivity of different design parameters on the power output of a specific WEC, iProTech’s Pitching Inertial Pump (PIP). Geometric, inertial, and power take-off variables were all varied and optimized to find values that produced the highest amount of power generated over varying wave conditions. The findings on these parameter sensitivity studies are used to inform future design iterations of the PIP WEC. Including more design variables in the optimizations will only increase computational run time and further software development is needed to analyze a larger optimization.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2026

Numerical Modeling & Optimization of the iProTech Pitching Inertial Pump (PIP) Wave Energy Converter (WEC) (CRADA Final Report)

This project represents a continuation of the collaboration between iProTech and NLR to simulate, optimize and design the iProTech Pitching Inertial Pump (PIP) device. The objectives of this TEAMER project are twofold: 1. Refining the physical characteristics of the existing iProTech PIP WEC-Sim model to enhance the model’s fidelity and include controllable components. Key model enhancements target the inclusion of Coulomb friction, the introduction of a controllable bypass valve, and the replacement of traditional check valves with advanced motorized ones. 2. Exploring traditional and advanced control algorithms. From traditional methods like latching control to cutting-edge reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms, the goal is to ensure the PIP device's adaptability and optimal performance across a range of ocean conditions. NLR is tasked with augmenting the WEC-Sim model and implementing the control algorithms, culminating in performance comparison analyses. iProTech will update their existing 3D models, advise on model improvements, and determine crucial system metrics. WEC-Sim, developed in MATLAB/SIMULINK with Simscape Multibody, is the main piece of software that will be used in this project. Coupled with the MATLAB RL Toolbox, it offers a robust platform for in-depth simulation and optimization of the iProTech PIP device. Building on previous work to explore the PIP design space and optimize its geometry, mass distribution, center of gravity and other key parameters, this project aims to refine iProTech’s existing numerical models and develop effective control algorithms that can seamlessly integrate into their future hardware testing campaigns.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2026

Pioneer WEC v1 testing report

The “Pioneer WEC” project is tasked with developing a wave energy converter (WEC) to provide additional electrical power to the CeNtral Surface Mooring (CNSM) within the NSF-funded Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) Pioneer Array. This report summarizes the design, testing, and deployment of the “Pioneer WEC v1 prototype.”

Coe, Ryan Geoffrey [Sandia National Laboratories (↗
DOE OSTI2026

The Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter (HERO WEC)

The Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter (HERO WEC) is a 6-ft wave energy device that turns seawater into drinking water. It is designed for rapid deployment in disaster response scenarios where fresh water is limited. Featuring both hydraulic and electric power takeoff systems, HERO WEC has undergone two ocean deployments at Jennette's Pier on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in addition to extensive in-lab testing. The research provides practical insights into the real-world challenges of wave energy conversion beyond modeling and dry-lab environments. Attendees will develop an understanding of the practical considerations for deploying wave energy devices and the lessons learned from real-world HERO WEC deployments.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2026

Biconjugate Impedance Matching Control of the HERO WEC: Preprint

Effective control strategies are essential for maximizing the power output of wave energy converters (WECs). In this study, we explore the methodology of port-based modelling which can be used for bi-conjugate impedance matching, a type of reactive control that involves maximizing power transfer by setting the load (PTO) impedance to be the complex conjugate of the source impedance (WEC). Despite its foundational role in electrical engineering, this method has seen limited application in wave energy and has not yet been demonstrated in wave-powered desalination systems. We represent our complex multidisciplinary system as an equivalent circuit to explore frequency-based relations. The HERO WEC, a small-scale, modular point absorber (PA) designed for reverse osmosis desalination is used as a case study to demonstrate port-based modelling for control applications. Improving the performance of wave-powered water desalination systems could play a critical role in addressing freshwater scarcity for coastal communities, especially those in remote or disaster-prone regions.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2022

HERO WEC V1.0 - SolidWorks Model

The attached zip file includes a SolidWorks pack-and-go assembly of NREL's HERO WEC (hydraulic and electric reverse osmosis wave energy converter) V1.0. This model does not include all aspects of the design (i.e. RO (reverse osmosis) system, electrical enclosure, hose, cable) it only includes the WEC and PTO (power take-off) design.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2023

Evaluation of a Wave Powered Water Pump Performance by Ocean Field Testing and WEC-Sim Modeling

This submission from AMEC (the Atlantic Marine Energy Center) includes data from an ocean field deployment of a wave powered water pump in March 2023. The wave pump is an upweller device, designed to enhance macroalgal aquaculture. The wave pump device was deployed off the coast of Isles of Shoals Appledore Island in Maine, USA. The data were collected using a custom-built DAQ module comprised of Arduino Unos. GPS time stamp accompanies the data. The data are volumetric flow rate from the wave pump, and relative motion of the device between float and spar buoys. Flow rate is measured by flow meter, and relative motion is measured by lidar. Calibration data for the lidar and flow meter sensors are included. This data set also includes synchronous Sofar Spotter buoy data from a mooring approximately 300 feet away from the wave pump mooring. Video data from the deployment are included from both on-board the device sporadically throughout the deployment, and from a webcam for a short duration of the deployment. Hydrophone data were also taken co-currently, and are available by contacting Martin Wosnik at the University of New Hampshire. The Matlab code used to process the field data is incorporated. A biological assessment is included which aided the NEPA consultation process, prior to conducting the field deployment. A WEC-Sim numerical model of the wave pump, and a re-design effort are part of this work. Code used to validate the WEC-Sim model from the field data are also included.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2024

HERO WEC V1 Upgrade - 2023 Laboratory Testing (processed data)

The following submission includes processed laboratory data from NREL's Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter (HERO WEC), in the form of MATLAB workspaces. This dataset was created using NREL's Large Amplitude Motion Platform (LAMP) and collected between August and September 2023. Included with this submission is a test log of all the processed data "HERO WEC LAMP test run log.xlsx" so that the user can easily find the data of interest. Additionally, more detailed descriptions of the type of data and how it was processed, or calculated, can be found in the document titled "Lamp Data Description.docx". The MATLAB workspaces can be visualized using the file "LAMP_Data_Viewer_Ver2.m/mlx". The user simply needs to upload the workspace of interest and run the file "LAMP_Data_Viewer_Ver2.m/mlx". Both the .m and .mlx file format has been provided depending on the user's preference. The MATLAB workspaces have been separated into zip files corresponding to either Drivetrain, Hydraulic, or Electric configuration runs representing the respective test cases that were run. The drivetrain runs were used to characterize the drivetrain only (no pump or generator). The Hydraulic runs represent the configuration when the seawater pump is installed, and the Electric runs represents the configuration when the generator is installed. The following sub-categories of data are included for each type: - DW - Deep water sine wave profile (not run in drivetrain configuration) - Heave - Heave only sine wave profile - Heave_NoRO (hydraulic configuration only) - Heave_ACC (hydraulic configuration only) - IR - Surge and heave irregular wave profile (not run in drivetrain configuration) - RW - Heave only profile created from real world encoder data (not run in drivetrain configuration) For those interested in the raw, unprocessed, data the authors have created a separate submission, linked below. This submission includes the raw TDMS files and associated files necessary to translate the data into either python or MATLAB formats. This data set has been developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, operated by Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308. Funding provided U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Water Power Technologies Office.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2024

HERO WEC V1 Upgrade - 2023 Laboratory Testing (Raw Data)

This submission contains the original, unprocessed data from the 2023 Large Amplitude Motion Platform (LAMP) testing of NREL's Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter (HERO WEC). This data serves as a companion to MHKDR #520. Data was collected using NREL's Modular Ocean Data AcQuisition (MODAQ) system in TDMS format. Specifications of TDMS files can be found on the NI website. The TDMS files have been separated into zip files corresponding to either Drivetrain, Hydraulic, or Electric configuration runs representing the respective test cases that were run. The drivetrain runs were used to characterize the drivetrain only (no pump or generator). The Hydraulic runs represent the configuration when the seawater pump is installed, and the Electric runs represents the configuration when the generator is installed. The following sub-categories of data are included for each type: - DW - Deep water (monochromatic sine wave) profile (not run in drivetrain configuration) - Heave - Heave only (monochromatic sine wave) profile - Heave_NoRO (hydraulic configuration only) - Heave_ACC (hydraulic configuration only) - IR - Surge and heave irregular wave profile (not run in drivetrain configuration) - RW - Heave only profile created from real world encoder data (not run in drivetrain configuration) Reference documents: - "HERO WEC Lamp Test Run Log.xlsx": contains specifications for each test run - "Lamp Data Description.docx": provides detailed information about data types and processing methods For those interested in the processed data the authors have created a separate submission, MHKDR #520, linked below. This data set has been developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, operated by Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308. Funding provided U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Water Power Technologies Office.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2021

The MBARI-WEC: a power source for ocean sensing

Abstract Interest in wave energy converters to provide autonomous power to various ocean-bound systems, such as autonomous underwater vehicles, sensor systems, and even aquaculture farms, has grown in recent years. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute has developed and deployed a small two-body point absorber wave energy device suitable to such needs. This paper provides a description of the system to support future open-source access to the device and further the general development of similar wave energy systems. Additionally, to support future control design and system modification efforts, a set of hydrodynamic models are presented and cross-compared. To test the viability of using a linear frequency-domain admittance model for controller tuning, the linear model is compared against four WEC-Sim models of increasing complexity. The linear frequency-domain model is found to be generally adequate for capturing system dynamics, as the model agreement is good and the degree of nonlinearity introduced in the WEC-Sim models is generally less than 2.5%.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2025

Towards an intuitive application of WEC control co-design

A simple co-design example in a reduced parameter space is presented for an oscillating flap device. Initially, the WEC geometry and mass properties are considered along with drivetrain gear ratio, inertia, motor constant and stiffness under both PI and optimal control. This parameter space is reduced to those to which performance is most sensitive for a fixed geometry. The gear ratio, drivetrain stiffness, and flap mass are found to be the most impactful design criteria as they can create orders of magnitude variations in power performance. The performance of the optimized system is compared with several sub-optimal variants in terms of electrical and mechanical power capture, transmission coefficients, and transducer power gain. Notably, though substantial power capture improvements are demonstrated when an optimal controller is employed, this power capture remains sensitive to appropriate selections of drivetrain and flap design parameters, implying that control co-design procedures remain necessary for high-performing WECs. Furthermore, a number of practical caveats and extensions to the presented co-design methodology are suggested, including the characterization of system static friction, especially in the presence of high gear ratios.

Control co-design↗
DOE OSTI2021

MBARI WEC 2021 deployment

This dataset includes data from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) wave energy converter (WEC) and a nearby located Sofar Spotter buoy. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute has developed and deployed a small two-body point absorber wave energy device suitable to autonomous underwater vehicle, sensor system, and even aquaculture farm needs. For more information on the MBARI WEC see the research journal attached in the submission.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2023

2023 Risk Management Plan and Register for Low-Power WEC for Non-Grid Applications

This is an updated risk management plan and risk register for the design, build and test of a novel, remote, low-power wave energy converter (WEC) for non-grid applications. This Columbia Power Technologies project seeks to develop a prototype low-power WEC that lowers the total cost of ownership and provides robust, new capabilities for customers in the maritime environment. The testing location for this prototype is the U.S. Navy Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) in Kaneohe Bay, O'ahu, Hawai'i. Detailed in the Risk Management Plan document is a Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMEC) that systematically identifies all potential failure modes and their effects on the system. Risk registers for major subsystems were completed according to the methodology described in the Risk Management Plan and are also included here.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2025

WEC-SIM Support for an Innovative Zero Discharge Supercritical Water Based Wave Energy Desalination System (CRADA Final Report)

NREL will assist East Carolina University in its development of the foundational knowledge and proof of concept that are needed for future process scale up and commercialization of a sustainable wave-to-water (direct pressurization) desalination unit powered by a wave energy converter. NREL will provide guidance and support to East Carolina University on its: use of the NREL developed WEC-Sim based wave to water system, exploring the WEC-Sim/ASPEN Plus data exchange communication, and using experimental data to hopefully provide validation of analytical models.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2026

Report on Coastal Structure Integrated Wave Energy Converters (CSI-WECs)

This report investigates a largely underexplored, and underexploited, application for wave energy: coastal structure integrated wave energy converters (CSI-WECs). These WEC types have significant potential to rapidly advance the wave energy industry while addressing the challenges of coastal community resiliency and marine energy integration and application, and the urgent need for increased coastal protection. To further support the value proposition investigation of this work, three wave energy developers agreed to conduct an energy production analysis of their technology for the four sites identified. Additionally, a geographic information system-based tool was developed that supports efficient and comprehensive site assessment for optimal and high-value deployments.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2022

Toward a Unified Framework for WEC Numerical Modeling

This presentation is about moving toward a united framework for WEC numerical modeling. A unified framework for WEC numerical modeling could help device developers on three fronts: 1) optimization; 2) more accurate load estimates; 3) validation.

modeling↗
DOE OSTI2024

WEC-Sim Modeling of Laminar Scientific's Patented Seesaw Wave Energy Converter: Preprint

Laminar Scientific's patented seesaw wave energy converter was modeled in WEC-Sim to predict performance. The device operates by utilizing ocean surface waves to rotate a truss in pitch about a pivot. The pivot is located at the top of two pylons, which are embedded in the seafloor. The seesaw has a float on either end, and the buoyancy forces from each float cause the system to rise or fall with passing waves. Device performance relies upon seesaw length and ocean wavelength creating an antiphase effect. The seesaw truss has an adjustable length intended to achieve this effect. The operation method enforces a narrow band of wavelengths which induce the largest rotational motion from the device. The hydrodynamic analysis of the device was performed using Capytaine, and the results confirmed that the device operates best in a narrow frequency band. Four float-to-float spacing cases and three pylon radii were examined. The hydrodynamic results indicate a match between the model and the physical expectations for the device, and that varying the pylon radii by 0.1-m increments for three instances creates minimal changes in hydrodynamic properties. Power matrices for three float spacing cases of the device were simulated with Joint North Sea Wave Project spectra waves and optimal power take-off damping in WEC-Sim. The maximum average power production for the 15-m spacing case was 14.1 kW with a 5.0-s peak wave period and 4-m significant wave heights. Plots of capture-width ratios indicated that the device performance was linear and confirmed that the device is optimal in a narrow frequency band. The maximum percentage of the available wave power produced by the 15-m device was approximately 16%. Simulations of the device in regular waves were used to produce plots of average power compared to a ratio of float spacing to wavelength. These plots indicate that the power production is maximized at a ratio of 0.5, and further confirm that the device has a narrow frequency response. The device was simulated at an example field location, where the device produced an annual average power rating of 1.6 kW given an average omnidirectional wave climate of 10.3 kW m-1 and an optimal, linearized power take-off model. While the maximum predicted device performance is reliant upon a narrow band of wave frequencies, the conducted analysis provides an opportunity to improve device design prior to prototyping and testing. Modifying the design to respond to a broader frequency range would improve device performance.

numerical modeling↗