Wave Energy Deployment Off Oʻahu Advances Renewable Ocean Energy Research
Researchers from HMEC and the National Laboratory of the Rockies have deployed a wave energy converter at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Makai Research Pier in Waimānalo to begin a year-long testing program focused on the performance, durability, and operational requirements of marine energy systems in island environments. The project will evaluate how the device withstands real-world ocean conditions—including fatigue, biofouling, and high-cycle loading—while generating data that could help guide future renewable ocean energy development in Hawaiʻi and other coastal communities.
Two years of engineering design, prototype testing, environmental permitting (state and federal reviews), and logistical coordination culminated on a calm morning in March, when researchers from the Hawaiʻi Marine Energy Center (HMEC) and the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) deployed a wave energy converter at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Makai Research Pier in Waimānalo. Designed to convert wave motion into electricity, the Small Underwater Research Flap Wave Energy Converter (SURF-WEC) device has entered a year-long testing phase aimed at demonstrating the viability of marine energy technologies in island environments while advancing researchers’ understanding of their operation and maintenance requirements.
The ocean deployment focuses on fatigue and survivability, including real-time wave energy converter performance, data acquisition system reliability, high-cycle loading and wear, and biofouling effects. The data collected during the deployment will help researchers evaluate how wave energy systems perform under prolonged exposure to real-world ocean conditions.
The project also includes environmental monitoring efforts. Researchers from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) conducted a short-term hydrophone deployment to confirm that the device’s acoustic signature would have minimal environmental impacts. PNNL also installed a live camera system to provide ongoing monitoring of potential interactions between the device and marine life throughout the testing period.
The installation process was carried out in three phases: deployment of the bottom-mounted flap frame; installation of the power take-off (PTO) frame, including the routing of hydraulic hoses and electrical cabling along the seafloor and onto the pier; and final attachment of the nominal one-meter-square oscillating wave surge converter flap.
The galvanized steel platforms were lowered into the water from the Makai Research Pier using a forklift. Swimmers and SCUBA divers then disconnected the lifting bridles, maneuvered the frames into position, and guided the platforms to the seafloor. The structures were then secured using methods reviewed through the project’s environmental assessment and permitting process to minimize disturbance to the surrounding reef environment.
Crews carefully uncoiled, secured, and routed the hydraulic hoses and electrical cable 20 meters along the seafloor to the pier, where the lines were fed through a PVC conduit mounted to a pier piling and brought onto the pier deck.
The final installation phase involved attaching the oscillating flap to the deployed platform. Crews used a forklift to lower the 100-pound assembly to the water’s surface before floating it into position alongside the frame. Divers flooded the flap to facilitate alignment, then seated the shaft onto saddle clamps and secured it with stainless steel through-bolts. Once the assembly was in place, compressed air from a SCUBA cylinder was used to purge water from the flap.
On the pier, crews connected the hydraulic hoses and electrical cable to the shore station and remotely activated the system. The converter then began its first operational testing, harnessing wave motion to generate electricity.
NLR researchers continue to remotely monitor real-time system data from Colorado, while the HMEC team conducts twice-monthly in situ inspections to assess wear, fatigue, and biofouling. Together, the teams hope the deployment will provide valuable insight into the long-term durability and performance of marine energy systems operating in dynamic ocean environments.
Researchers expect the year-long deployment to generate new operational and environmental data that will help guide future marine energy development in Hawaiʻi and other island communities. Additional updates and findings will be shared as testing progresses.
HMEC Mentorship Supports Award-Winning Science Fair Project
A student mentored through HMEC earned first place in category at the Hawaiʻi State Science and Engineering Fair after investigating how wave motion can be converted into electricity using an educational-scale electromagnetic generator. By applying Faraday’s Law and testing advanced magnet configurations, including Halbach arrays, the project demonstrated that magnetic field orientation—not just strength—is critical to improving generator efficiency. The work highlights how hands-on STEM mentorship can translate complex renewable energy concepts into accessible research experiences that inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.
A recent University of Hawaiʻi News article highlighted the growing impact of STEM mentorship programs in supporting the next generation of researchers and engineers at the Hawaiʻi State Science and Engineering Fair. One participant, under HMEC mentorship, explored how ocean wave motion can be converted into electricity through a simplified linear generator system.
The student’s original concept—designing a full ocean-deployable wave energy device—was refined into a more focused and achievable project: improving the performance of an educational-scale electromagnetic generator designed by Erik Bendickson at the UH STEM Pre-Academy. This approach allowed the project to concentrate on the core physics of energy conversion while remaining practical for experimental testing.
At the center of the work was Faraday’s Law of electromagnetic induction, which governs how changing magnetic fields generate electrical voltage. Building on this foundation, the student investigated whether alternative magnet configurations could improve generator performance by increasing magnetic flux through the coil.The project explored both conventional magnet arrangements and more advanced configurations using Halbach array structures—engineered layouts that concentrate magnetic fields in specific directions. Initial results revealed that stronger magnetic fields alone do not guarantee improved electrical output. Instead, the orientation and distribution of the magnetic field relative to the coil proved to be the controlling factor.
Through iterative design, testing, and analysis, the student developed a refined configuration that aligned the magnetic field more effectively with the coil geometry. The final design produced measurable electrical output and demonstrated improved efficiency when normalized by magnet weight, highlighting a more effective use of materials.
Beyond the technical findings, the project provided hands-on experience in experimental design, rapid prototyping using 3D-printed components, and data interpretation. It also reinforced an important engineering principle: translating theoretical concepts into physical systems often reveals complexities that are not immediately apparent in simplified models.
The student presented the project at the district-level fair and advanced to the Hawaiʻi State Science and Engineering Fair, where the work earned first place in its category. This achievement reflects both the student’s initiative and the effectiveness of structured mentorship in supporting meaningful research experiences.
This effort illustrates how complex renewable energy systems—such as wave energy converters—can be distilled into accessible, hands-on learning opportunities. By focusing on fundamental principles, HMEC’s mentorship activities help bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world engineering, supporting workforce development and increasing awareness of marine energy technologies across Hawaiʻi and the USAPI.
HMEC Launches New Website to Connect Hawaiʻi and Pacific Island Marine Energy Communities
HMEC’s new website marks an important step in strengthening how marine energy efforts across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific are shared and advanced. Designed as a central hub, the platform highlights research, opportunities, and initiatives that connect communities, industry, and academia. As new programs and collaborations take shape, the site will continue to evolve alongside the region’s growing marine energy ecosystem.
The Hawaiʻi Marine Energy Center (HMEC) is pleased to launch its new website as a central hub for sharing information, opportunities, and ongoing work related to marine energy in Hawaiʻi and the broader Pacific region.
This platform is designed to provide a clear and accessible view into HMEC activities. Visitors can explore current research efforts, learn about marine energy technologies, stay informed on events and news, and connect with educational and workforce development opportunities. The site will also serve as a point of entry for those interested in collaborating with HMEC, accessing facilities, or engaging with the growing marine energy community.
A key objective of this website is to support consistent and transparent communication. As outlined in HMEC’s broader program goals, establishing a strong online presence is central to conveying the capabilities, value, and progress to both local and global audiences. Over time, the website will be updated regularly with project updates, technical highlights, and announcements relevant to marine energy development in Hawaiʻi and the islands of the Pacific.
While the site is now live, several sections are still under development. These pages will continue to be refined and expanded in the coming months as content is finalized. The decision to launch at this stage reflects the importance of providing timely access to current opportunities and establishing a foundation for ongoing communication.
Of particular near-term interest, HMEC is actively preparing to support several upcoming initiatives, including:
An introductory marine energy short course planned for Summer 2026
Development of a team for entry into the 2026/2027 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition
A funded graduate student research opportunity for 2027-2029
These efforts align with HMEC’s mission to expand education, research, and workforce development in marine energy, while strengthening connections between academia, industry, and the community.
Looking ahead, HMEC intends to further enhance its communications capabilities, including the addition of a dedicated communications and outreach professional. This position will support ongoing website development, content creation, and broader outreach efforts to ensure that the site remains current, informative, and responsive to the needs of the community.
The HMEC website will aim to serve as the primary platform for tracking marine energy activities for the Pacific Islands. As the field continues to evolve, the site will grow alongside it—providing a reliable source of information, highlighting local capabilities, and helping connect people to opportunities across research, education, and industry.