Only two months after the testing and approval of its small scale model (in cooperation with the Hydro Mechanic Institute of Kiev), Eco Wave Power is already in final construction phases of its medium scale wave energy generation system.
The medium scale power plant will be implemented on a pier in the Black sea during the first quarter of 2012, and will produce a minimum of stable 5KW from each floater.
As can be seen in the company’s website (www.ecowavepower.com), the company has already secured funding for three ocean energy generation systems, the last of which will be a full-size commercial scale power plant, with the ability to supply electricity up to1000 households.
According to the founder, Mr. David Leb : “ When Eco Wave Power started to develop its unique wave energy technology, we knew that the greatest challenge of the wave energy industry is to find the “golden middle” between producing the maximum amount of KW, while still insuring the reliability and the long life span of the system. The problem was that on the one hand high waves enable the greatest KW production, but also impose the highest risk to the system. On the other hand, low waves do not endanger the system, yet they also do not produce sufficient KW amounts. Another problematic issue important to address is the cost of such system”.
The developing countries had spent as much as $40 to $60 billion a year on electricity by the end of the 20th century (G8, RETF, 2001), and still approximately 40% of the population in these countries remains without access to electricity.
These countries need a reliable, yet cost-efficient solution to their energy needs, and therefore one of the greatest emphases in EWP’s development p rocess was the price.
EWP’s system is being developed to produce electricity for a cheaper price then traditional energy generation methods such as: coal, gas and oil and also cheaper than renewable energy generation methods such as: wind or Solar.
[mappress] Offshore WIND Staff, March 02, 2012; Image: Eco Wave Power