WaveRoller converts wave power into energy

WaveRoller converts wave power into energy

Posted by: John Pope

1 Comment

WaveRoller converts wave power into energyFor the first time in many years I got the feeling that something is moving in the right direction, in this case the fight to stop global warming. After the first solar thermal power plant from Spain it’s time to put a good use on wave kinetic energy, with WaveRoller, a device anchored on sea floor, that uses moving plates to obtain power.

This is how WaveRoller works
This is how WaveRoller works

The basic principle, "bottom wave", that made WaveRoller possible is pretty simple: the floor of the ocean moves continuously in an elliptical path, so the plates can generate infinite amounts of energy by converting kinetic energy into electricity with the use of a hydraulic motor/generator system. All this translates in another source of clean energy.

A picture of the WaveRoller system

One of the main advantages such system have is predictability, as water movements can be better anticipated, when compared to winds and solar energy. More informations on WaveRoller can be found here. The video below better explains how WaveRoller works.


Source: Gearfuse (via GadgetGrid)

  • 1 Comments till now on "WaveRoller converts wave power into energy"
  • Posted by PAUL HALES on June 30 2009

    The concept of the “Waveroller” is excellent and because of the use of tidal surge and not wave motions it becomes much more predictable in its power output and survivability.
    However I feel they should forget about placing so much complicated hydraulic and electrical generation machinery in the harsh gritty water close to shore and possibly change to a seawater pumped system with a flow and return sytem and the generation on shore.
    They should also capitalise on the energy disapation effect this system will have that will help prevent erosion on the shore.

    Good Luck

    Paul Hales
    Technical Director

    Hales Energy Ltd

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