Wave Energy Roller

This simple device is an easy way to harness the endless energy of the waves! It is a floating roller with fins that spins as waves flow underneath. The spinning motion is transferred via a flexible rubber belt to a generator that is held above the waves. It has minimal impact on marine ecosystems as only the supports and wires are in the water.

The flexible belt is what allows this contraption to work with tide-changes, as it will contract and expand as the roller moves up and down with the tides.

The optimal locations for these systems would be the same locations were wind turbines are. These locations are windy and out of the way. What makes the wave energy roller better than wind turbines is it's cost, size, easy of maintenance, and scalability. What most people don't realize is that wind turbines are absolutely massive, with blades as large as football fields. This makes them difficult and expensive to make, transport, and assemble. Smaller wave roller units in greater numbers would be better than offshore wind turbines in all of these categories.

I designed this system in Fusion 360 and constructed a mini model!

The support structures are concrete pilings that are prefabricated before being driven into the ground of some shallow ocean location.

The roller is made from PVC plastic. Plastic is the best material as metals and other materials will corrode, rust, and/or break down over time in such harsh conditions.

The generator would be similar to one in a wind turbine, just much smaller.

First, the concrete pilings are constructed on land in the right shape and size according to the site.

The roller mechanism is made with PVC plastic and a mold.

After the pilings and roller are transported to the site, the pilings get driven into the ground and the roller goes in between the two. A generator gets placed in a protective plastic casing and goes on top of one of the pilings. Next, the flexible belt connects the roller and generator. Finally, the generator gets hooked up to the grid so it can provide power!

For my model, I used red PLA to 3D-print my design. I found a small puck light and wired a switch and a craft motor into it. Then I hot glued a circle piece to the motor and glued the motor to the 3D-print. Finally, I slid a rubber band onto the roller and the circle to act as the belt and put it in my sink. This model shows how the roller would spin due to the waves, spinning the generator, powering the light!