InfinityWEC

In 2017, OHT discovered the opportunity to use an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) in combination with a flywheel energy storage, to provide advanced force control features and constant power output in a Wave Energy Converter (WEC). The technology is similar to Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) used in vehicles to recover brake energy, but with a high-speed generator connected to the flywheel to output electricity. This technology has been named InfinityDrive PTO and is the central piece of the InfinityWEC device. The InfinityWEC uses a ball screw actuator system with integrated level adjustment, and a mooring pipe system with a fixed PTO position that eliminates the frequent bending of the power cable from the wave cycles

Technology Developer

Ocean Harvesting Technologies

Additional Information

Device Website

Device Status Is the device actively being developed or is available for purchase (active)? Or has development or support ended (inactive)?

Active

Technology Type

Point Absorber

Power Take-Off Mechanism that converts the motion of the prime mover into a useful form of energy such as electricity, learn more

Direct Drive Generator

Max Rated Power Capacity The maximum amount of electricity that can be produced by the device, as rated by the manufacturer.

500 KW

Surface Expression

True

Estimated TRL Estimated Technology Readiness Level scale from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature technology

TRL Last updated: 5 November 2022

2

Energy Resource

Wave

Water Column Position

Last Modified

2 July 2025

Citation Formats

“InfinityWEC.” Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https:https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/InfinityWEC. Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.

Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices. <year>. "InfinityWEC." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https:https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/InfinityWEC.

PRIMRE/Databases/Projects Database/Devices/InfinityWEC

InfinityWEC

Citation Formats