Wave Energy Converter for Drifter Applications – WECDA

This dataset contains experimental results from the EMSO-ERIC Physical Access project “Wave Energy Converter for Drifter Applications (WECDA)”, a collaboration between Brno University of Technology (BUT) and the OBSEA-EMSO observatory (UPC). The project explores the use of a low-frequency electromagnetic rolling-mass Wave Energy Converter (WEC) to harvest energy from the motion of oceanographic drifters.

The dataset is composed of three main parts:

Laboratory excitation tests (robotic arm):The dataset includes LabTestData.mat, containing measurements from controlled laboratory experiments where a robotic arm reproduced the drifter’s oscillatory motion. The file provides amplitude–frequency characteristics and power–load curves for two WEC configurations (1.3 Hz and 1.0 Hz designs), including excitation frequency, RMS voltages on bottom and side coils, and corresponding power–load data. These measurements quantify the electromechanical response of the generator under well-defined motion conditions.

Short Tests (5 days):A series of short-duration deployments were conducted near the OBSEA observatory over a period of five days. The drifter was tested under different internal configurations of the WEC and electronics. These trials aimed to validate waterproofing, communications, and the WEC’s dynamic response under real sea excitation.

Long Test (more than one week):A moored deployment was carried out in the protected area surrounding OBSEA to evaluate the long-term behaviour of the WEC under varying wave conditions. The system continuously logged electrical and motion-related data throughout the entire period.

The dataset includes the WEC output measurements (voltage and current), together with inertial data from the embedded accelerometer, all time-stamped for analysis of the drifter–wave interaction. No environmental data are included; users may obtain wave and meteorological context directly from the OBSEA public data portal if needed.