Dynamic Non-linear Interactions for Deep Water Wave Power Generation

"We propose a better way to extract usable electrical energy from deep water ocean waves, using a taut synthetic single-point mooring and keeping the generator below the surface, relatively motionless, while a surface float transmits the slow-movinghigh-magnitude wave force to it. This stands in stark contrast to shore-based or shallow water methods which are the most successful to date, but are inherently incompatible with rapid deployment or use in deep water. By placing the generator below theocean surface and keeping it relatively motionless using a single-point mooring with a taut synthetic line, we can leverage inherent non-linearities in both the structure of the mooring and the synthetic mooring line material, tuning the dynamic responseand extracting maximum energy from the waves. This concept lends itself especially well to SARA's MHD OWEC approach as demonstrated under a Phase I Navy SBIR last year, but can also be adapted to any system where a surface float is separated from asubsurface generator, with the latter intended to remain motionless. The result is both compact and highly deployable, and can be moved easily from one place to another by pulling up the single anchor. The proposed technology has numerous commercial andmilitary applications, with the nearest term being provision of electrical power to remote ocean and coastal locations. In contrast to shore based or permanently mounted systems, this new approach