Danish clean energy technology start-up Exowave has won an Innovation Fund Denmark grant for its project that combines wave energy with desalination for fresh water production.
Awarded through the Innobooster program, the grant will support the development of a project that will see a demonstration of a household-scale wave energy converter in combination with a bespoke desalination system.
The systems will be able to produce up to 200 litres of fresh water per hour at the quality required by the World Health Organization, tackling the pressing challenge of water scarcity around the world, according to Exowave.
In particular, it is believed this technology will be a game changer for small islands and remote communities, and will allow them to increase their independence, health and job opportunities.
The product demonstration offshore will take place in the second half of 2021, Exowave said.
This approval, together with previous grants, will allow Exowave to increase the pace of its development, expand its product portfolio, and strengthen and increase the team, the company said.
The Exowave wave energy technology is based on the oscillating wave surge converter that extracts the kinetic energy from the ocean waves through bottom-hinged flaps.
The technology can be coupled with complementary market solutions to produce green electricity, cooling of data centres, fresh water for households, agricultural and industry use.