{"id":450057,"date":"2023-06-21T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T04:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/?p=450057"},"modified":"2023-06-21T06:30:00","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T04:30:00","slug":"this-technology-breaks-the-enigma-of-wave-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/this-technology-breaks-the-enigma-of-wave-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"This technology breaks the enigma of wave energy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Alexander Zakheos is the CEO of <a href=\"https:\/\/swel.eu\/\">SWEL<\/a> \u2013 an acronym for Sea Wave Energy Limited \u2013 and has been working to help his father make his intuition come to light: creating a powerful waver energy converter (WEC). After almost two decades of research and several iterations, they developed a WEC called the \u201cwave line magnet\u201d (WLM). According to its creators, their technology could bring the cheapest electricity \u2013 as costly as one cent per kilowatt-hour (kWh) \u2013 from a renewable source.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"io-block io-block__summary\"><ul><li>SWEL developed the Wave Line Magnet, a wave energy converter; <\/li><li>The company esteemed energy to cost of less than two point five cents per kWh; <\/li><li>The device can power remote islands as well as being used for massive hydrogen production; <\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The UK-Cypriot company will conduct its final pre-commercial pilot tests in Cyprus, as they got the green light from the country\u2019s maritime authorities. Then, commercialization will follow suit with a two hundred kilowatts converter \u2013 mostly suited for providing power to small islands for desalination and other applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Putting brakes on a heavy train<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The converter acts as a magnet. It sticks to waves, becoming the wave itself. Four main components form the structure of the WLM: a spine, pumps, platforms, and levers. As with natural creatures, the spine allows flexibility and connects all components. The yellow platforms sit on the wave line, following the wave\u2019s movement, and levers connect the platforms to pumps to make them move. Pumps take in seawater, pressurizing it to use it for power conversion systems such as desalination, electricity, or hydrogen generation and storage. The WLM can desalinate water directly without producing electricity but using filters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a nutshell, SWEL\u2019s WEC collects the kinetic energy of waves. Zakheos found a better metaphor to describe it. \u201cAll we are doing with our technology is putting brakes on a heavy train, absorbing the energy it has inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lower frequency, powerful frequency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The current WLM version comes after almost two decades of research and development \u2013 with several iterations. In this journey, SWEL tested several university wave tanks and open-sea locations, also participating in EU-funded initiatives.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While wave energy is nothing new, it hasn\u2019t picked up amid higher costs per megawatt-hour. A US Department of Energy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2019\/09\/f66\/73355-Appendices.pdf\">study<\/a> estimated a $130-$280 cost per mWh for commercial-scale tidal energy, compared to $20 per mWh for wind energy. According to a European Commission <a href=\"file:\/\/\/C:\/Users\/mauro\/Downloads\/jrc118296_1.pdf\">report<\/a>, tidal technologies are expected to reach a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 15 cEUR\/kWh by 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, swell energy has a higher power output than wind energy, as water is 830 times denser than the air and can thus generate more power per unit area. Furthermore, wave patterns are known and predictable \u2013 while the same can\u2019t be said about wind and <a href=\"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/en\/the-next-solar-revolution-everything-will-be-a-pv-panel\/\">sun<\/a> cycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Waveline Magnet Concept Design\" width=\"1290\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jDdDRYaTrzw?start=6&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u00a9 SWEL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Neutral displacement theory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In Zakheos&#8217; point of view, most wave energy systems failed because they didn\u2019t have the right approach toward wave dynamics. Most technologies are based on Archimedes\u2019 principle of buoyancy, but it\u2019s only a piece of the puzzle, per SWEL\u2019s co-CEO. \u201cAfter all the testing we have done, we formulated our neutral displacement theory (NDT), where displacement theory is one of the three elements characterizing wave behavior,\u201d he explains.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He can\u2019t disclose \u2013 for now \u2013 the details of this hypothesis, which ultimately holds the secret of the functioning of SWEL\u2019s energy converter. The NDT challenges the current industry standards. \u201cIt\u2019s us against the world. I sound cheesy, but it\u2019s the truth,\u201d he states. Based on these principles and the many years of investigation, the SWEL system has proven to produce more energy with higher tides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"io-block io-block__expanded-box\"><summary class=\"expanded-box__header\">Displacement theory<\/summary><div>  <p class=\"expanded-box__content\">We need to understand gravity before delving into Archimedes&#8217; principle of buoyancy \u2013 or displacement&#8217;s theory. Gravity is the universal acting between all matter. On Earth, all bodies have a weight, or downward force of gravity, proportional to their mass, which Earth\u2019s mass exerts on them. Gravity is measured by the acceleration that it gives to freely falling objects.\u00a0<br><br>Archimedes\u2019 displacement theory states that a body immersed in a fluid is acted by an upward force, the magnitude of which is equal to the weight of the fluid redisplaced by the body. Imagine immersing a stone in a bucket of water; the water level will go up as the stone displaces part of the water while sinking. Yet, not all objects immersed in water sink. A piece of wood doesn\u2019t sink, for instance. This is because Archimedes\u2019 force constantly interacts with gravity. Whenever gravity is more intense than Archimedes\u2019 force \u2013 as in the stone case \u2013 the body would sink, displacing an equal amount of water. When the two forces equal themselves, the body will keep an equilibrium position within the fluid \u2013 it wouldn\u2019t sink nor float on top of the water. If Archimedes&#8217; force is strong enough to counteract gravity, the body will float on water.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Longer waves, higher output<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs wavelength increases and waves are taller, you expect more power. The enigma with other developers is that they can\u2019t generate power with more extended wave periods. By contrast, we produce more energy with longer wavelengths. Power output grows exponentially,\u201d says Zakheos while sketching a steep upward line on a piece of paper.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SWEL also studied the potential installation of one of its systems on the coast of Scotland.&nbsp; Using an annual wave behavior and intensity dataset, they calculated a yearly production of 140 GWh of power, with a cost of less than two point five cents per kWh. \u201cIf we were to convert it into hydrogen and store it onsite, the number could reach five or six cents per kWh, a value comparable to one of the fossil fuels and lower than the ones of wind or solar,\u201d Zakheos adds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"vlp-link-container vlp-layout-basic wp-block-visual-link-preview-link advgb-dyn-222fbe57\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/wave-energy-aims-to-make-capri-autonomous\/\" class=\"vlp-link\" title=\"Wave energy should make Capri self-sustainable\"><\/a><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-side\"><div class=\"vlp-block-2 vlp-link-image\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-main\"><div class=\"vlp-block-0 vlp-link-title\">Wave energy should make Capri self-sustainable<\/div><div class=\"vlp-block-1 vlp-link-summary\">Last Thursday, Italy successfully piloted a model converter that can convert sea waves into electrical energy. <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Modular&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Being able to harness energy even in the harshest wave conditions is only one of the points made by SWEL to support its claim of producing cheap power. \u201cThe technology is modular and isn\u2019t a spaceship design either. Components can be made with standard materials, \u201d the CEO underlines. Steel for the spine and recycled plastics or wood for the platforms can be a good fit &#8211; although still under review.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most importantly, to harness the power of waves in every scenario, SWEL envisions designing different converter sizes. A smaller version for accommodating calmer seas \u2013 such as the Mediterranean \u2013 would be eight meters wide per one hundred meters long, and the ocean version would be 24 meters wide per 600 meters long.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.ioplus.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/low-mass-1024x277-1-1004x272.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-450074\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A close-up of the WLM. &#8211; \u00a9 SWEL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The key to mass hydrogen production<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on the application, converters&#8217; placement changes. &#8220;In the Greek islands that need desalinated water, it would be placed maybe a kilometer away from the coast. While in the case of larger-scale systems for mass power production, those would be installed four or five kilometers away or even more, depending on each location and characteristics,\u201d Zakheos clarifies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Facilitating mass-scale production of hydrogen is where SWEL\u2019s technology can make a difference. \u201cThe systems will harness wave energy converting it into hydrogen. Since they will be anchored in the ocean, which is prime real estate for energy storage away from populated areas. Combined with technology to compress and store hydrogen fuel, ready for vessels to load it and deliver it wherever it\u2019s needed,\u201d he stresses.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"vlp-link-container vlp-layout-basic wp-block-visual-link-preview-link advgb-dyn-7fffdcf9\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/this-iron-reactor-should-become-crucial-puzzle-piece-in-hydrogen-storage-and-transportation\/\" class=\"vlp-link\" title=\"This iron reactor could play a crucial role in hydrogen storage and transportation\"><\/a><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-side\"><div class=\"vlp-block-2 vlp-link-image\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-main\"><div class=\"vlp-block-0 vlp-link-title\">This iron reactor could play a crucial role in hydrogen storage and transportation<\/div><div class=\"vlp-block-1 vlp-link-summary\">We can quickly call it the most significant energy transition challenge: the storage and transportation of green energy. The Netherlands is fully committed to wind and solar power, but the electricity grid needs to be fixed.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rediscovering nuclear power<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>SWEL will start by commercializing the smaller version of its converter, having a 200 kWh output. According to Zakheos, projections suggest that this system will also be able to produce between ten and fifty tonnes of desalinated water at a third of the costs for conventional systems.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The company hopes to hit the market in two years. \u201cIt would be like we rediscovered nuclear energy, if not better,\u201d states SWEL\u2019s CEO. Decided and fully focused on achieving the goal of SWEL becoming one of the largest independent power producers on the planet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alexander Zakheos is the CEO of SWEL \u2013 an acronym for Sea Wave Energy Limited \u2013 and has been working to help his father make his intuition come to light: creating a powerful waver energy converter (WEC). After almost two decades of research and several iterations, they developed a WEC called the \u201cwave line magnet\u201d [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2084,"featured_media":493844,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[69760,23429,63128,43927,47222],"location":[69666,55977],"article_type":[43139],"serie":[],"archives":[],"internal_archives":[],"reboot-archive":[],"class_list":["post-450057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sustainability-nl","tag-energie-2","tag-renewable-energy","tag-tidal-energy","tag-wave-energy","tag-zee","location-cyprus","location-united-kingdom","article_type-features"],"blocksy_meta":[],"acf":{"subtitle":"SWEL\u2019s wave energy converter promises to deliver the world\u2019s cheapest renewable energy, as its device performs better with taller and longer waves.","text_display_homepage":false},"author_meta":{"display_name":"Mauro Mereu","author_link":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/author\/mauro-mereu\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/SWEL.png","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/sustainability-nl\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Sustainability<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Sustainability<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/sustainability-nl\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">energie<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/sustainability-nl\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Renewable energy<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/sustainability-nl\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">tidal energy<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/sustainability-nl\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">wave energy<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/sustainability-nl\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">zee<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">energie<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Renewable energy<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">tidal energy<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">wave energy<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">zee<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 3 years ago","modified":"Updated 3 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on June 21, 2023","modified":"Updated on June 21, 2023"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on June 21, 2023 6:30 am","modified":"Updated on June 21, 2023 6:30 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/450057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2084"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=450057"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/450057\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/493844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=450057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=450057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=450057"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=450057"},{"taxonomy":"article_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_type?post=450057"},{"taxonomy":"serie","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/serie?post=450057"},{"taxonomy":"archives","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/archives?post=450057"},{"taxonomy":"internal_archives","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal_archives?post=450057"},{"taxonomy":"reboot-archive","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reboot-archive?post=450057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}