World’s First Grid-Connected Wave Power Station - By Sachin Kumar
When it comes to alternative energy, solar and wind power are the undisputed top contenders, with the majority of research, investment, and interest focused on them. Unlike endless wind-when the air is calm, or endless solar-when it is night, waves are highly available, reliable, and predictable in advance, making it easy to match supply and demand.
In Western Australia, off the coast of Garden Island, the world's first grid-connected wave-power station known as CETO. Developed by Carnegie Wave Energy -this power station not only converts ocean swells into zero-emission renewable power but also desalinated freshwater. Unlike conventional tidal systems, which use the force of waves to spin turbines to generate electricity, this system operates underwater. As such, the system is better protected from storms and corrosion. In addition, it will not interfere with human activities such as boating, beachgoing, or swimming. Such a system will be a boon for Western Australia, where the vast majority of Australians live.
This system consists of round, submerged buoys that are anchored to a series of seabed pump units (installed at a depth of 25 - 50 meters), the system uses the motion caused by swells to drive the pumps. This causes pressurized seawater to be pushed through a pipeline beneath the ocean floor to an onshore hydroelectric power station. Once there, the high-pressure water drives turbines to generate electricity. The high-pressure water can also be used to supply a reverse osmosis desalination plant. This secondary aspect is sure to be attractive to Australians, who already spend considerable amounts of money on desalination technology to meet current and future water needs.
In the coming future, this technology can play an important role in sustainable development.
Thank you, Sachin Kumar (1st year UG, MEMS) for the blog.
video courtesy: TomoNews US
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