A Norwegian researcher is developing technology that aims to streamline wave energy conversion methods. He hopes he can help give this renewable energy source more visibility and usage in Norway and even worldwide.
Jørgen Hals, a PhD student and wave energy researcher at the Norwegian University for Science and Technology (NTNU) created a machine that has the ability to use three different methods for wave energy conversion. The three main methods generally used to convert wave energy into electricity are air turbines, hydraulics and electric machinery. Hals plans to test all three methods then cross-examine them in order to determine which technology is cheapest and most effective overall. No other known researcher has conducted such an experiment, he said.
- Our goal is not to develop one that’s better than the rest, but it’s to study all and compare them, said Hals.
According to him, the possibilities are endless when it comes to wave energy. There are enormous amounts of wave energy occurring every minute at sea that isn’t harnessed. Furthermore, it’s a truly renewable resource since it doesn’t take anything from the Earth.
It’s quite possible wave-generated electricity could even be used in the future to help power Northern cities like Kirkenes, he said.
- There would be some more challenges in developing the correct machinery for that region, but yes it’s thinkable, said Hals.
Trials to harness energy from ocean waves date back to the 1890s. However, since it is very costly to invest in wave energy research, there has been little advancement in this renewable energy source until recently.
In 2008, the world’s first commercial wave farm opened in near Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal. The farm, called Aguçadoura Wave Farm, can produce enough electricity to power 1,500 Portuguese homes. It uses hydraulics to convert wave energy into electricity. While this wave farm chose to use hydraulics, Hals hopes his research will reveal which method is actually the most useful and cost-effective.
Currently, Hals estimates wave-generated electricity costs around 30 times more than what the average European pays for their electricity. In testing all of the current conversion methods though, it will become clearer which one would be best to pursue for further research.
- It’s not clear yet which one in the end will give the cheapest energy, that’s why we want to study all of them, he said.
Written by Margaret Cappa
