This thesis proposes a new raft-type wave-powered desalination device that can convert wave power into hydraulic energy and use reverse osmosis (RO) to directly desalinate seawater. Both analytical and numerical methods are used to study the hydrodynamic characteristics of the device. Further, the thesis investigates the maximum power extraction and multiple parameter effects on power absorption and averaged permeate water flux. Lastly, it proposes and assesses two power extraction enhancing strategies. The thesis offers a valuable and important reference guide to ocean-wave-and-structure interaction and wave-powered seawater desalination for scientists and engineers alike.

Wave energy offers a promising renewable energy source, however, technologies converting wave energy into useful electricity face many design challenges. This guide presents numerical modelling and optimization methods for the development of wave energy converter technologies, from principles to applications. It covers the development status and perspectives of wave energy converter systems; the fundamental theories on wave power absorption; the modern wave energy converter concepts including oscillating bodies in single and multiple degree of freedom and oscillating water column technologies; and the relatively hitherto unexplored topic of wave energy harvesting farms. It can be used as a specialist student textbook as well as a reference book for the design of wave energy harvesting systems, across a broad range of disciplines, including renewable energy, marine engineering, infrastructure engineering, hydrodynamics, ocean science, and mechatronics engineering. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.routledge.com has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.