A laboratory study on paddle type wave energy converter for transferring seawater using wave energy

Using wave energy for desalination has recently gained attention from researchers and authorities. This technique, known as “wave to water,” is particularly crucial for regions and islands that have access to seas and oceans but suffer from a shortage of drinking water. Both industrial devices and academic studies were developed to explore this concept. However, further research is needed to optimize the geometry of these devices. Optimizing the geometry of a wave energy converter (WEC) through field studies can be expensive. Therefore, investigations are divided into numerical and experimental studies, in which the former requires validation through observed data. In this paper, a preliminary experimental study is conducted to examine parameters influencing the performance of a paddle-type WEC. The study investigates factors such as paddle width, water depth, coast slope, and wave frequency period by conducting laboratory tests. Paddle-type WECs are commonly used in industry. The results of the analysis are discussed in detail, along with consideration for scaling up these findings.