Energy Conversion Unit for Low-Speed Vertical Oscillator Hydrokinetic Energy Harvester

This paper presents a process of electrical generator selection and operation for low speed renewable hydrokinetic energy resources. As more renewable energy resources enter the marketplace, generators customized towards unsteady mechanical input power and low speed operation become critical design points. Traditional power generation has relied upon steady operation to which the majority of generators are designed. The process of generator selection for low speed unsteady resources encompasses many design factors and tradeoffs. Generator selection is discussed and evaluated with respect to a low-speed vertical oscillator hydrokinetic energy resource. The complete generator selection entails selecting a generator type, modeling in simulation, and testing in a laboratory setting. This paper lays out the considerations that must be made in order to implement a successful design from the standpoint of power generation in many new and unproven renewable energy resources.