WaveRoller Harnesses IoT to Unlock Ocean Power for Clean Energy

The ocean presents both challenges and opportunities. While climate change accelerates sea‑level rise—already eroding coastlines—its vast, predictable motion offers a powerful, untapped energy source.

Experts such as IoT specialist Nick Booth describe the sea as a natural energy reservoir, powered by solar, gravitational, and rotational forces. Historically, its intense, irregular motion made efficient conversion difficult—until the development of WaveRoller, an IoT‑controlled wave‑to‑electricity system.

Earlier wave‑energy prototypes, including wind turbines, were limited by rough design and low efficiency.

Unlike the more sporadic wind, ocean waves deliver a consistent, measurable flow, making them an ideal fit for grid‑synchronized power. The Internet of Things (IoT) provides the precise control and real‑time analytics required to capture and deliver this energy reliably.

AW‑Energy’s WaveRoller is an oscillating surge converter that harnesses wave motion to generate electricity through a panel that moves in sync with the sea.

Out of sight

For a clean aesthetic, the panels are fully submerged beneath the waterline. The foundation is far lighter than that of conventional turbines, lowering its center of gravity and reducing visual impact. Early deployments off Ireland and Portugal have already attracted marine flora and fauna, demonstrating environmental compatibility.

Local shipbuilding expertise is leveraged in constructing the WaveRoller foundations, creating on‑shore jobs and reducing transport costs compared with large wind turbines.

As former CTO Christopher Ridgewell, now CEO of WaveRoller, notes, “The real breakthrough is IoT’s ability to fine‑tune operations in real time.”

While the technology to convert waves into watts existed, IoT adds the intelligence needed to manage the forces of the sea, protecting equipment during extreme conditions and coordinating power storage and distribution.

Capturing power

WaveRoller’s power take‑off (PTO) system is split into two main modules: one captures energy, the other manages its distribution.

This modularity allows each component to be optimized for local sea conditions and grid requirements. Both modules can be independently scaled to match wave intensity and grid demand.

Embedded sensors monitor pressure, temperature, and motion, feeding data to an AI‑driven control system that adjusts hydraulic settings to maximize energy capture for each swell.

Preventing overload

The system incorporates hazard identification and FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects & Criticality Analysis) routines to minimize risk and calculate load limits, preventing equipment overload.

In essence, WaveRoller learns to ride each wave like a seasoned surfer, making early decisions that smooth power output for the national grid.

Ridgewell credits a casual pub conversation for the algorithm’s inspiration—discussing how a violinist stays in sync when always half a beat behind.

The author of this blog is Nick Booth, freelance IT and communications writer.