Development of an adaptive-pitch wave energy turbine

In 2014/15 I undertook a 3 month research internship at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST). During this time I worked under Professor Tsumoru Shintake on the early stages of what is now known as the OIST Wave Energy Project.

During this time we designed, manufactured, and tested a novel design for a wave energy converter: An adaptive-pitch wave energy turbine. The blades of this turbine were designed to be flexible, so that they could adapt their pitch depending on wave strength in order to maximize efficiency and protect against strong storm conditions.

Following my time at OIST, development of the wave energy turbine has continued rapidly. The group now has wave-energy turbines installed on the coast of the Maldives and on the coast of Okinawa!