Gyroscopic Wave Energy – Tapping the Untamed Sea

About 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by oceans, offering a vast source of renewable energy. Its potential is massive—so much so that wave energy alone is estimated to exceed current global electricity demand if fully harnessed.

However, it is a largely untapped renewable source, as efficiently capturing the energy of ocean waves has long frustrated engineers.

To solve this problem, new research from the University of Osaka has turned to a novel method: a gyroscopic wave energy converter (GWEC) that uses a spinning flywheel inside a floating structure to convert wave motion into electricity.

The research analysis reveals that, in principle, this device can absorb up to half of incoming wave energy at any wave frequency, offering a way to tap into enormous, untapped ocean energy.

Global Electricity Mix: Renewables Rise, Fossil Fuels Still Lead

With climate change wreaking havoc across the globe, it is imperative that we shift away from fossil fuels—non-renewable energy sources that form over millions of years and cause significant environmental issues.

One of the most effective ways to reduce dependence on these fossil fuels is through renewable energy sources, which include solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass.

These naturally replenishing sources cut greenhouse gas emissions, add to a nation’s energy security, and reduce vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions. Thanks to these benefits, renewable energy sources now account for a growing share of global electricity production. In 2024, they provided a record 32% of global electricity generation, up 2% from the previous year, as overall electricity demand grew 4%, driven by data centers.

“Countries are thinking about their security and energy security more than ever before, and I think that means homegrown renewable power like wind and solar becomes more and more attractive.”

– Energy think tank Ember’s electricity and data analyst Euan Graham told Reuters last year

While the renewables industry delivered an additional 858 TWh of generation to the system in 2024, fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, still power the majority of the world’s energy needs. Coal is currently the largest source of power generation, accounting for 34% of global electricity production, while gas power plants account for 22%.

However, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) projections, renewable power capacity will increase by almost 4,600 GW between 2025 and 2030.

Among all renewable sources, solar is growing most rapidly as costs fall and adoption accelerates globally. Wind capacity is also growing rapidly, while hydropower remains the largest, long-standing renewable contributor. As for bioenergy, it has begun to gain traction, and geothermal is gaining corporate partnerships. The future of energy appears increasingly green.

Harnessing the Ocean’s Untapped Potential

In the renewable energy landscape, ocean power offers vast global resource potential. It involves harnessing power from marine sources, including waves, tides, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), and marine currents. Tidal energy harnesses predictable tidal currents, OTEC uses temperature gradients in deep-ocean water, and marine currents capture energy from large-scale ocean flows.

The most widely researched form of marine energy is wave energy, which converts wave kinetic energy into electricity. Waves are abundant, powerful, and continuous. They are also less intermittent than wind or solar. This high predictability means surface wave motion can be harnessed 24/7, making it extremely beneficial for improving grid planning and stability.

This zero-emission energy source has seen limited commercial deployment, far below mature renewables like solar. It currently represents the smallest share of the renewable energy market. In 2024, the world added 1.6 megawatts (MW) of ocean power capacity, bringing the total operating capacity to about 513 MW.

This slow adoption is due to several factors, including high capital costs, site-specific constraints, and technological hurdles such as grid integration. Workforce skills and regulatory uncertainty are also obstructing progress across the sector. Additionally, device maintenance in harsh ocean conditions remains a major challenge alongside energy conversion efficiency.

As a result, researchers in both academia and industry continue working to improve these systems, making them more durable and better able to address wave irregularity. One such system that has attracted interest is the wave energy converter (WEC), a device that converts wave kinetic energy into electricity.

Several innovators are working on advancing this technology. For instance, the Swedish company CorPower Ocean partnered with Norway-based OPS Solutions through the COMPACT project to reduce the cost and mass of WECs by developing a pre-tension cylinder (PTC) prototype. Backed by the EEA Grants “Blue Growth Programme,” the project is developing a lightweight pressure casing to address capital cost and device robustness.

At the same time, developers have achieved measurable performance gains. Norwegian company Havkraft reported an energy conversion rate of over 80% in its latest lab test of a scaled WEC model, a 15% increase from earlier trials. This step allows them to identify risks, ensure quality, and understand performance, which will help them scale toward commercialization.

“The results show that our research is delivering, and we are one step closer to a commercial solution.”

– Operations Manager Nikolai Haldane

Meanwhile in Scotland, AWS Ocean Energy has been advancing its “Archimedes Waveswing,” a pressure-activated sub-sea buoy designed to convert wave motion beneath the surface. The device recorded average power above 10kW and peaked over 80kW during moderate wave conditions, 20% higher than the company’s expectations.

The seven-meter-tall submerged unit is designed to withstand harsh offshore environments, including Force 10 gales. Its single-absorber design also makes it suitable for remote power applications where resilience is essential.

Beyond technological performance, broader system integration is gaining attention. Recent feasibility research suggests¹ that deploying WECs doesn’t need to be at the expense of coastal activities like tourism or fishing. In fact, properly designed installations can provide coastal protection.

“It is possible to protect the coast from the actions of the maritime environment and simultaneously produce clean electricity, thus supporting Portugal’s energy transition and self-sufficiency.”

– Paulo Rosa Santos, co-leader at CIIMAR

These advances reflect a sector transitioning from experimental prototypes toward practical solutions.

Unlocking Maximum Energy Absorption with Gyroscopes

Wave energy devices (WECs) aim to convert continuous wave motion into usable electricity efficiently. Driven by national innovation initiatives, technological advancements, and integration with local infrastructure, the global wave energy converter market is projected to grow from $21.6 million in 2025 to $38.2 million in 2034, at a CAGR of 6.5%.

WECs are not yet fully commercialized due to technical, economic, and regulatory challenges, so no single optimal solution exists yet. Many different types have been proposed, including point absorbers, oscillating water columns (OCWs), overtopping devices, attenuators, and gyroscopic systems.

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A gyroscopic wave energy converter uses a gyroscope in its power take-off system (GPTO) to extract energy from wave motion. The GPTO consists of an electric generator and a flywheel mounted on a gimbal frame. Notably, the GPTO is enclosed within a floating body; as the waves move, the structure moves with them. This motion is converted by the rotating flywheel into electrical power. Because it operates as a gyroscope, the flywheel’s behavior can be tuned to harvest energy across a broad range of wave frequencies, unlike other WECs limited to a narrow band.

The system takes advantage of gyroscopic precession, induced by the rotation of the flywheel and the floating body’s pitch motion. Gyroscopic precession occurs when a spinning object reacts to an external force. When waves cause the platform to move, the spinning flywheel changes orientation, and this motion connected to a generator produces electricity. Being housed within a hull protects the device from saltwater, offering maintenance and safety benefits.

Gyroscopic converters represent efforts to overcome the limitations of traditional WECs, which are often efficient only under specific conditions. Takahito Iida, a researcher at the University of Osaka, turned to GWECs for their adaptability. In his study, published in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics², Iida evaluated whether this design can support large-scale generation.

“Wave energy devices often struggle because ocean conditions are constantly changing,” said Iida. “However, a gyroscopic system can be controlled in a way that maintains high energy absorption, even as wave frequencies vary.”

To understand how the system behaves, he utilized linear wave theory to model the interaction among ocean waves, the gyroscope, and the structure. Analysis helped the team discover ideal settings for rotational speed and generator controls. When properly tuned, the GWEC can reach the theoretical maximum energy-absorption efficiency of one-half at any wave frequency.

“This efficiency limit is a fundamental constraint in wave energy theory,” noted Iida. “What is exciting is that we now know it can be reached across broadband frequencies, not just at a single resonant condition.”

The team verified findings through numerical simulations in both time and frequency domains. These results validated that the device maintains high efficiency near its resonance frequency, performing best when motion matches the natural wave pattern. This clarification on operating parameters demonstrates the capability for developing efficient wave energy systems that help address climate goals.

Investing in Renewable Energy

From an investment perspective, few publicly traded companies are dedicated exclusively to wave energy. It remains an emerging segment with high infrastructure costs and limited project rollouts. Pure wave energy public stocks have generally performed poorly as the technology remains in the early stages of proving commercial-scale economics.

Instead, we will focus on a company with a strong renewable portfolio positioned to benefit from marine energy growth over time. NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE +0.24%) is a major U.S. renewables leader with extensive offshore wind and grid integration experience.

The company operates through NextEra Energy Resources (NEER) and Florida Power & Light (FPL). FPL is a rate-regulated electric utility boasting 35,052 megawatts of net capacity, making it the largest electric utility in the U.S. by customer count (12 million). This regulated business generates steady revenue and cash flow, supporting dividend growth.

NEER operates generation facilities and invests in clean energy such as renewable fuels, natural gas pipelines, and battery storage. NextEra Energy Resources is the world’s largest renewable energy generator and continues to expand its project pipeline. Its strong earnings growth and strategic tech deals support future upside, though it remains vulnerable to anti-renewable policies under the Trump administration.

Currently, NextEra’s stock is trading at $90.79, near new highs, up 13.63% YTD and 32% in the past year. The company has an EPS (TTM) of 3.30 and a P/E (TTM) of 27.63.

NextEra pays a dividend yield of 2.73%. Recently, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.6232 per share, a 10% YoY increase. NextEra reported $1.133 billion in adjusted earnings for Q4 2025 and $7.683 billion for the full year. NEER reported bringing 7.2 GW of new generation online and adding 13.5 GW to its backlog, bringing the total to 30 GW. This includes a plan to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear plant with Google.

“We believe there is no company better positioned to build the energy infrastructure required to reliably and affordably meet America’s surging demand,” said CEO John Ketchum. The company expects adjusted EPS to grow at a CAGR of 8%+ through 2032. It is also expanding natural gas supply solutions through strategic acquisitions.

NextEra expects 2026 adjusted EPS to be in the range of $3.92 to $4.02, with dividends growing 6% per year through 2028.

Conclusion

As global energy demand rises, driven by extreme weather and AI data centers, renewable energy growth becomes more crucial to mitigate emissions. While solar and wind dominate adoption, wave energy has the potential to accelerate the shift toward cleaner energy by offering a predictable, high-density resource.

Research on technologies like gyroscopic wave energy can help overcome the technical barriers limiting this sector. Together with supportive policies and strategic investments, these advances can help unlock significant new capacity.

Click here to learn all about investing in the top ten renewable energy stocks.

References

1. Clemente, D., et al. Assessment of electricity production and coastal protection of a nearshore 500 MW wave farm. Applied Energy 379, 124950 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.1249502
2. Iida, T. Linear analysis of a gyroscopic wave energy converter absorbing half of the wave energy over broadband frequencies. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 1029, A20 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2026.11172