Waveco has developed technology to harness the power of the waves to generate energy, which can either be used to provide a steady source of power to a grid, or for remote ocean applications.
Waves contain an enormous amount of renewable energy, referred to as hydrokinetic energy. Waveco’s Subwave technology seeks to connect users to this energy both for the central energy grid and for off-grid uses. The Subwave turbine is suspended around 100 metres below the ocean’s surface, hanging from a floating buoy. As the buoy is raised and lowered by the waves on the surface, the propellers on the Subwave turbine rotate, generating an electric current.
Subwave technology has a number of applications. A number of the turbines can be connected by cables, creating a sort of ‘wave farm’, that can then be connected to a centralised power grid. Alternatively, single turbines can be connected directly to their point of use. For instance, the first application of the Subwave technology will be the Automar, which is a floating observation device used to collect ocean data. The Subwave turbine will be connected to the buoy, providing a consistent and clean source of energy.
Why you should care
According to the World Energy Council, the wave energy could produce around double the amount of total electricity demand in 2008. However, as of yet, commercial applications have been limited.
How the Global Goals are addressed
Climate action
Using renewable energy sources such as wave power will cut the volume of greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and consumption.
Waveco
Waveco was founded by Inge Bakke in 2015, and is based in Selje, Norway.
Global Goals addressed
