Of all the renewable energy sources that I would like to see developed into more practical use that would have to be wave power. Think about it?, 3/4 of our planet is covered with water. Moving and flowing water that runs 24 hours/day. Just think about the potential energy that you can harvest from that if we were able to develop a way to transform that moving energy to electricity.
A lot of the early designs that I see already working requires almost “dam-like” structures to be built in order to funnel the waves so that the moving energy can be harvested and converted to electricity. Quite expensive I have to say. But the one’s I like the most are those that require less funding and are simply built. The reason behind that is because I believe that if you make it simpler and cheaper, adaption and implementation will be easier. Not to mention that simplicity breeds lesser use of resources to maintain and build it.
One of the wave generators that I find to have promise is the design built by Swellfuel.
According to SwellFuel:
Using a lever operated pivoting float anchored to the ocean floor, Swell Fuel’s ocean energy converters are designed to withstand pounding waves. The wave motion triggers the movement of the lever, which in turn produces electricity. The company’s goal is to generate 350,000 kW per year per unit and link together multiple units, providing a significant source of electricity.
Chris Olson, President of Swellfuel said that the invention comes after years of frustrations and challenges. Before they came up with the final design, they had to run through about 30 different prototypes tested in Ocean conditions. In the end he said that it was worth it because it resulted in a good and practical design.
Below is a diagram of how the device works, a lever turns during the rising of falling of the waves while it is anchored on the bottom.
For more Information checkout the youtube video of the project:
Category: Misc
