Take a look at the video showing Eco Wave Power’s wave energy plant during stormy conditions – with storm protection mechanism designed to protect the floats from damage – in action.
The Israeli wave energy company has recently completed the construction and entered the testing phase of its first commercial scale power plant in Gibraltar.
The implemenation of the first phase of the wave energy project comprised the installation of 100 kW power plant consisting of eight ‘2nd generation floaters’.
It is located on the Ammunition Jetty, in the Gibraltar’s Rock.
During the second phase, the plant’s capacity is expected to be expanded to 5 MW, enough to cover up to 15% of Gibraltar’s electricity needs.
EWP’s technology uses Wave Clapper and Power Wing buoys. The buoys are attached by robust arms to any type of structure, such as breakwaters, piers, jetties, floating barriers, poles, and fixed platforms.
The energy is produced when the waves cause the buoys to move up and down, creating the pressure which is later converted into the compressed fluid by the hydro-pneumatic system located onshore.
When the compressed fluid is released, it turns the hydraulic motor, which in turn spins the generator to produce electricity.