A Rapidly Deployable Wave Energy Converter for Seawater Desalination in Disaster Response

Authors

  • Ryan Weed Field Office Creative
  • Bridgette Hyde Field Office Creative

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36688/imej.8.417-424

Keywords:

ocean wave power

Abstract

In the current operational landscape, there are no commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions capable of turning wave power into clean water on a small scale and expedited timeline.  Available wave-powered installations and desalination plants are mostly large infrastructure projects that leverage economies of scale. This is typically the result of economic drivers – the availability and price of electrical power and clean water. However, natural disasters often strike where clean water is scarce and local infrastructure is unable to respond quickly, which drives an urgent need for clean water in locations far from these installations. Here, we present the design, modelling, and initial performance of a compact Wave-Energy-Converter (WEC) powering a reverse osmosis desalination system; a simple technical solution that provides clean water on a small scale (~1,000 Liters per day) and is quickly deployable in disaster zones.

Front cover image of IMEJ includes Busan Lighthouse

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Published

2025-10-20

How to Cite

Weed, R., & Hyde, B. (2025). A Rapidly Deployable Wave Energy Converter for Seawater Desalination in Disaster Response. International Marine Energy Journal, 8(4), 417–424. https://doi.org/10.36688/imej.8.417-424

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 4 (2025): International Marine Energy Journal

Section

Directly submitted articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Ryan Weed, Bridgette Hyde

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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