‘World first’ wave energy converter deployed at US Navy test site in Hawaii
Converter generates electricity by using waves to push air through a turbine, with up to 1.25MW capacity
An 826-tonne wave energy convertor buoy claimed to be the “world’s first” grid-scale device of its kind has been deployed at a US Navy test site in Hawaii.
The wave energy converter has been set up off the coast of Oahu, the island home to Hawaiian state capital Honolulu, sector pioneer Ocean Energy said in an announcement on Thursday.
After commissioning and testing, it will be connected to the Hawaiian electricity grid by subsea cable in the coming weeks.
“Following over a decade and a half of design, trials, testing and building, we are excited finally to be able to take this major step towards commercialisation with our world-class OE-35 device,” said Ocean Energy chief technology officer Tony Lewis.
“This internationally significant project couldn't come online at a more critical time for the US and Ireland as the world needs to accelerate the pace of decarbonisation with new and innovative technologies.”
The device generates electricity using waves to push air through an air turbine. The turbine rotates in a single direction using high-speed airflow to generate electricity.
The retreating wave creates a vacuum, which keeps the turbine spinning in the same direction, generating power continuously.
The device measures 38 by 18 metres and can generate up to 1.25MW of power, says Ocean Energy.
The $12m project is part‐funded by the US Department of Energy's office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, said Ocean Energy, under a US-Irish pact to collaborate on ocean energy technologies.
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