Applications Wave Energy Converters The continuous up-and-down motion of waves is the most visible sign of the immense power there is in the sea. Wave energy converters have to be able to cover an extremely wide application window: Gentle waves in calm weather just as much as winter storms in Europe, hurricanes, typhoons or cyclones. Fluid technology is particularly suited to the use of wave energy for power generation. It can convert linear motion into a closed-loop controlled rotational movement with a high degree of efficiency and a minimum of mechanics. And the particular challenge here: Maximum forces and wave travel speeds correlate within a wave cycle. High travel speeds of 1 – 2 m/s are typical of smaller waves, following rapidly in succession. Large waves, on the other hand, generate maximum forces of up to 500 kN – 1 MN over a longer period. Whether speed or force: The input speed for the power take-off of any wave will fluctuate twice between zero and the maximum value for a typical duration of 10 seconds. Moreover, the power of the wave will increase by a factor of three in relation to the height of the wave. This gives us a power window, which attains the factor of 1,000 between minimum and maximum values. Hydraulics is able to cover such a broad spectrum and at a reasonable cost.