Exploitation and Optimization of Ocean Energy Conversion Infrastructure

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Coastal Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2025 | Viewed by 4415

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering, Universidad a Distancia de Madrid, 28400 Madrid, Spain
Interests: renewable energies; multi-criteria decision-making; energy transition; climate change; optimal planning, ocean energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department Applied Mechanics and Projects Engineering, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain
Interests: renewable energies; power system stability; multi-criteria decision-making; energy planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The exploitation and optimization of ocean energy conversion infrastructure focuses on harnessing the energy potential of the world's oceans. This scientific and technological research area aims to develop efficient systems for converting kinetic, thermal, and marine current energy, as well as offshore wind energy, into useful forms of energy such as electricity. Various technologies are being explored, including tidal turbines, wave energy conversion systems, floating platforms for offshore wind turbines, and ocean thermal gradient technologies. The primary goal is to maximize the capture of renewable energy from the ocean in a sustainable and cost-effective manner, thereby contributing to the diversification of the energy matrix and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. However, the development of this infrastructure faces technical, economic, and environmental challenges, such as corrosion resistance, impact on marine life, and integration with the terrestrial power grid. As the demand for renewable energy increases, ongoing research in this area is crucial for harnessing the vast energy potential of the oceans and advancing towards a more sustainable future.

Dr. Isabel Cristina Gil-Garcia
Dr. Ana Fernández-Guillamón
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ocean energy
  • conversion infrastructure
  • renewable energy
  • offshore wind

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

18 pages, 990 KiB  
Article
Reducing Emissions in the Maritime Sector: Offshore Wind Energy as a Key Factor
by Isabel C. Gil-García and Ana Fernández-Guillamón
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(11), 1985; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12111985 - 3 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1039
Abstract
The maritime environment is the setting for a variety of economic activities, such as offshore wind energy, aquaculture, salt extraction, and oil and gas platforms. While some of these activities have a long-term presence, others require decarbonization as they head towards their demise. [...] Read more.
The maritime environment is the setting for a variety of economic activities, such as offshore wind energy, aquaculture, salt extraction, and oil and gas platforms. While some of these activities have a long-term presence, others require decarbonization as they head towards their demise. In this context, the aim of this study is to develop a methodology to replace the electrical energy from offshore high-emission industrial processes with clean electricity generated by offshore wind energy. The proposal is structured in three phases: initiation, which involves the collection of quantitative, technical, and geospatial information of the study area; indicators, where the main indicators are calculated, and the best alternative is selected using multi-criteria evaluation methods; and finally, short-, medium-, and long-term scenarios are proposed. The methodology is evaluated in Spain, and the best alternative, which has a nominal power of 225 MW, is capable of avoiding up to 1.44 MtCO2 by 2050. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

34 pages, 4110 KiB  
Article
Wave and Tidal Energy: A Patent Landscape Study
by Mohamadreza Pazhouhan, Amin Karimi Mazraeshahi, Mohammad Jahanbakht, Kourosh Rezanejad and Mohammad Hossein Rohban
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(11), 1967; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12111967 - 1 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1782
Abstract
Wave and tidal energy, recognized as vital renewable resources, harness the ocean’s kinetic and potential power. This study aims to provide an in-depth patent analysis of the technological landscape within these sectors. We applied a dual approach: first, a descriptive analysis was conducted [...] Read more.
Wave and tidal energy, recognized as vital renewable resources, harness the ocean’s kinetic and potential power. This study aims to provide an in-depth patent analysis of the technological landscape within these sectors. We applied a dual approach: first, a descriptive analysis was conducted to explore patent publication trends, technology lifecycle stages, patent activity by country, top assignees, and IPC classifications. Our analysis provided a detailed overview of the sector’s growth and the key players involved. Second, we utilized topic modeling, specifically BERTopic enhanced with large language models, to identify and fine-tune key technological themes within the patent data. In this study, we identified seven distinct clusters each for wave and tidal energy using this approach. This method led to a novel categorization of the patents, revealing latent themes within the patent data. Although our categorization differs from traditional methods, it provides deeper insights into the thematic focus of the patents, highlighting emerging trends and areas of innovation within wave and tidal energy technologies to better exploit and optimize ocean energy conversion infrastructure. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

54 pages, 18421 KiB  
Review
Innovations in Wave Energy: A Case Study of TALOS-WEC’s Multi-Axis Technology
by Fatemeh Nasr Esfahani, Wanan Sheng, Xiandong Ma, Carrie M. Hall and George Aggidis
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(2), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13020279 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 847
Abstract
The technologically advanced learning ocean system—wave energy converter (TALOS-WEC) project addresses the urgent need for sustainable and efficient energy solutions by leveraging the vast potential of wave energy. This project presents a pioneering approach to wave energy capture through its unique multi-axis and [...] Read more.
The technologically advanced learning ocean system—wave energy converter (TALOS-WEC) project addresses the urgent need for sustainable and efficient energy solutions by leveraging the vast potential of wave energy. This project presents a pioneering approach to wave energy capture through its unique multi-axis and omnidirectional point absorber design. Featuring a fully enclosed power take-off (PTO) system, the TALOS-WEC harnesses energy across six degrees of freedom (DoFs) using an innovative internal reaction mass (IRM) mechanism. This configuration enables efficient energy extraction from the relative motion between the IRM and the hull, aiming for energy conversion efficiencies ranging between 75–80% under optimal conditions, while ensuring enhanced durability in harsh marine environments. The system’s adaptability is reflected in its versatile geometric configurations, including triangular, octagonal, and circular designs, customised for diverse marine conditions. Developed at Lancaster University, UK, and supported by international collaborations, the TALOS-WEC project emphasises cutting-edge advancements in hydrodynamic modelling, geometric optimisation, and control systems. Computational methodologies leverage hybrid frequency-time domain models and advanced panel codes (WAMIT, HAMS, and NEMOH) to address non-linearities in the PTO system, ensuring precise simulations and optimal performance. Structured work packages (WPs) guide the project, addressing critical aspects such as energy capture optimisation, reliability enhancement, and cost-effectiveness through innovative monitoring and control strategies. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the TALOS-WEC, detailing its conceptual design, development, and validation. Findings demonstrate TALOS’s potential to achieve scalable, efficient, and robust wave energy conversion, contributing to the broader advancement of renewable energy technologies. The results underscore the TALOS-WEC’s role as a cutting-edge solution for harnessing oceanic energy resources, offering perspectives into its commercial viability and future scalability. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop