Design of an Electric Power Generation System Using Wave Energy in Coastal Areas of Ecuador

Abstract

The project shows the design of an electricity generation system using clean energy from wave power, which arises from the country’s need to diversify the renewable energy portfolio of the master electricity that plan. The design includes a compressed air generation system through sixty mechanical arms with modified pistons and buoys, harnessing wave energy. And, on the other hand, it incorporates a hydraulic system powered by the compressed air from the first system, which, through five pneumatic pumps and four hydropneumatics tanks, supplies water at 15 bar to a 25 kW turbogenerator. This design was developed through calculations, simulations and 3D modeling, taking into account wave crest and period data from “La Chocolatera” in Salinas-Santa Elena, Ecuador. It is concluded that the design can generate electricity 24 hours a day throughout the year, without depending on wave conditions or other climatic factors. Therefore, despite the total cost of $537,384.00 which is high for a 25 kW production compared to other clean energy sources, it fulfills the expectations for the diversification of the country’s clean energy sources