Power comes in waves
Perth’s Bombora Wave Power thinks differently. The ocean is actually a vast, untapped source of renewable energy.
The company is developing a V-shaped device that combines a unique membrane with a pneumatic air pump to spin turbines and generate energy.
Each wave energy convertor is designed to produce 1.5MWe (megawatt electrical) of energy, enough to power 500 homes and cut annual carbon emissions by 3300 tonnes. The device can be configured for low and high wave environments.
offshoreWIND.bizIt’s the product of clever thinking by Ryan brothers Glenn and Shawn, who are the venture’s driving force. Glenn, for his part, is a seasoned expert on ocean currents and wave science.
One of the key challenges he’s working on is an efficient wave capture device capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions. It must also operate without any significant maintenance due to the cost and complexity of working in the ocean.
Bombora Wave Power hopes to have full commercial prototypes operating within 3-4 years and believes it will appeal in industries that have a heavy reliance on diesel power, particularly island economies in the Pacific.
Interest in wave capture technology is continuing to grow across the globe as people look for new ways to harness the power of renewable water-based energy. It’s being considered at a variety of locations including hydro stations and tidal energy projects such as one proposed for Britain’s Severn Estuary.
Bombora’s wave power system received the GE ecomagination ANZ Challenge 2013 award and is a semi finalist in the Australian Clean Technology Competition 2013. Winners will be announced 2nd October 2013.
Bombora is also a finalist in the Mitsubishi Corporation Emerging Innovation Category at the 2013 WA Innovator of the Year Awards, with winners to be announced 13th November 2013.