Jonathan Everett 

Jonathan Everett has received his PhD degree in 2025 at the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Department, The University of Auckland. Based on the results of his research work, he co-founded a spin-out company “Aquafarming Marine Energy Solutions New Zealand Ltd” together with Vladislav Sorokin.
His current work focuses on developing a wave energy converter for aquafarming, which involves prototyping, numerical modelling and experimental analysis. Jonathan has fabricated and tested several prototypes, both in the laboratory and the ocean. This has provided valuable steps and insights towards using wave energy converters at a small scale in New Zealand. 

 

PhD Project summary:

Jonathan’s research has focused on developing a wave energy converter (WEC) tailored to provide a reliable source of electricity to aquafarms, particularly those in remote locations. Recognising the limitations of established renewable options such as wind and solar power, which are susceptible to rapidly fluctuating weather patterns, Jonathan’s work aims to harness ocean waves’ more predictable energy source to meet the specific requirements of aquafarming operations.

Jonathan designed a point absorber WEC to capture the heave and surge motion of waves in conditions typical to aquafarming environments in New Zealand. The concept features a buoy mounted on a linear rail, incorporating a magnetic coupling and helix mechanism to convert linear motion into rotational energy. By attaching the device to a floating aquafarming structure, it captures the relative motion between the aquafarm and the waves. Several prototype iterations were manufactured, each undergoing extensive wave flume testing. The results of the most recent prototype were promising, with the WEC producing an average of 22W with a 7kg moving mass.
In addition to wave flume testing, the prototype has also been deployed in the ocean at Ōhope Beach, where it was mounted to a bottom fixed base structure. The device demonstrated strong performance across three short deployments in varying calm ocean conditions, generating up to 10W of average power.