'WEC-Direct' - The application of a direct drive, contra-rotating generator to wave energy converters.

This feasibility study investigated the application of a direct drive, contra-rotating generator to different WEC architectures in order to establish the impact this step changing technology can have on reducing plant capital costs through:

• weight savings
• reduction of the station keeping/hold down capacity
• reducing operational and maintenance costs through the elimination of generally complex power transfer and take-off systems
• improvements to device performance and efficiency through the elimination of the power conversion and transfer system and
• ultimately reducing the cost of energy from WECs.