Cleantech Co Produces Low-Cost Electricity From Waves

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Did you ever look at the sea and found yourself in awe of the power of waves? That is what happened to Israeli engineer Shmuel Ovadia, 30 years ago. Ovadia was at the beach waiting for friends, suddenly humbled by the vast sea and its powerful waves crashing into the shore.

Did you ever look at the sea and found yourself in awe of the power of waves? That is what happened to Israeli engineer Shmuel Ovadia, 30 years ago. Ovadia was at the beach waiting for friends, suddenly humbled by the vast sea and its powerful waves crashing into the shore.

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This sight is what he credits for the idea to use the energy of the sea for human benefit. Today he is the CEO of SDE Energy, an Israeli cleantech company that develops technologies to produce electricity from sea waves.

SDE’s method uses sea wave motion to generate hydraulic pressure, which is then transformed into electricity. The system takes advantage of the wave’s speed, height, depth, rise and fall – and the flow beneath the approaching wave to produce energy.

Taking advantage of the waves

The company was recently ranked by the New Energy Congress – a team of international scientists – as the world’s number one developer of Sea Wave Energy Technologies, number six in Tidal Energy and River Energy, and one of the Top 100 cleantech companies in the world.

A full-scale model of the patented technologies was operated in Jaffa Port, Israel, in 2010 and produced 40ekW (Electrical Kilowatts) for almost one year. According to SDE, the model has been tested and approved by experienced engineers.

The research conducted in Israel showed that the technology can produce electricity at a cost of$2 cents per KWH. According to the company, the cost is significantly lower compared to other renewable energy technologies such as wind energy – 12 cents – and solar energy – 16 cents per KWH.

Ovadia says he is hoping that this model will lead to significant reductions in electricity costs in areas it will be operated.

Article continues at ENN Affiliate NoCamels

Crashing Waves image via Shutterstock