Unusual power plant "Archimedes Waves" tested in Scotland

Scottish marine energy company has tested new wave conversion technology

energy called "Archimedes Waves"(Archimedes Waveswing) off the northeast coast of the country. Tests showed better results in converting wave energy into electricity compared to analogues that were tested at the same site.

During testing, the 50-ton converterwave energy recorded an average power of more than 10 kW and a peak power of more than 80 kW during moderate wave conditions. The device is an “underwater wave buoy” with a height of 7 m and a diameter of 4 m. 


Концепция электростанции и испытания. Видео: AWS

Unlike traditional converters, itattached to the bottom, rather than floating on the surface, and therefore can withstand even the most difficult storm conditions, the company notes. According to the developers, the generator will work even during a storm with a power of 10 points.

The current project is well suited to useat remote sites, the developers say. For example, it can be used to power drilling rigs in oil fields and conduct oceanographic monitoring.

Underwater buoy. Image: AWS

To provide real communal needs,the company plans to create a platform that integrates many such devices. According to the developers, it is possible to combine up to 20 units with a capacity of 500 kW with a potential capacity of up to 10 MW per platform.

Although wave energy generators remainrather rare and do not yet make a significant contribution to the total production of electricity, this market is actively growing. According to Ocean Energy Europe, 2.2 MW of tidal current power was installed in Europe in 2021, compared to barely 260 kW in 2020. Of these, wave energy accounted for 681 kW in 2021.

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