Design of reluctance generator for an improved wave energy system

Abstract

As nowadays the electrical generation sources are moving so fast from fossil to renewable energy sources, is crucial to develop these new technologies and improve it to reach an equivalent energy sources as the old ones, but keeping the environment and responsibility in mind. The project’s goal is based on design an electrical generator powered by ocean waves motion with simplicity, reliability, price and versatility on mind, for that reason a linear reluctance generator will be implemented to a reliable point absorber device adding to, this well tested generator typology, the latest technology eliminating the problematical linear to rotatory motion converters used until today on this generators, and improving it even more with a full electronic control of the electrical generation. The design is done from scratch to the final design on all the generator components: mechanic, electric, magnetic, thermic and electronic parts making this project a set of different projects, linked between them. On the design a collection of different knowledges and technology was used, on mechanical stage a classic physical and movement theories are used but on electromagnetic stage a new ones technology as finite elements software and electronic simulation software is employed to obtain the most accurate solutions. Finally an all in one device is obtained making it a good alternative to generate renewable energy on places where the ocean wave energy is a good option as energy source, allowing to complement the already used generation methods or as standalone one, providing electricity on isolated coastal zones.