They are testing an experimental geyser marine power plant off the coast of Tasmania
The UniWave200 prototype uses wave energy to power an artificial marine geyser. It then drives a one-way turbine, which produces energy for commercial use. If the geyser plant passes the tests on King Island off Tasmania, we will see them off the coast more often.
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UniWave200 v Grassy Harbour. Kredit: Wave Swell Energy.
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The ocean is full of energy, which is clearly asking us to use it. In Australia, they have apparently persuaded themselves to develop a marvelous blowhole power generator. Wave Swell Energy is now testing its 200 kilowatt prototype in Grassy Harbor on King Island, off the coast of Tasmania. The geyser power plant is already at sea. It is located about 100 meters from the coast, in a place with a depth of 5.75 meters. It should be connected to Hydro Tasmania’s network in the coming months.
UniWave200 bird’s eye view. Credit: Wave Swell Energy.
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The new UniWave200 uses sea wave energy in a specific way. Seawater flows back and forth through the concrete chamber. The flow of water pushes the air in and out of the upper part of this chamber. This creates an artificial geyser, whose energy is used by a wind turbine. The turbine in question could be two-way, but Wave Swell Energy boss Tom Dennis said in 2017 that double-sided turbines are so complicated that it is more advantageous to use one-way turbines like the one in UniWave200.
Wave Swell, logo.
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The Wave Swell Energy project will enrich King Island’s energy mix, which now includes wind and solar energy. However, the main task of the UniWave200 prototype is to prove that it is an efficient, reliable, durable and affordable technology. At Wave Swell Energy, they believe they can compare the price of renewable energy production with the price of energy production in coal-fired power plants, as well as in megawatt installations.
A number of renewable energy sources are currently starting to beat coal. However, waves contribute to the energy mix with specifically generated energy, which has a number of interesting advantages. Although the prototype of the geyser power plant does not fit very well into the romantic bay on King Island, it will definitely be interesting to see how this technology passes the tests.
Video: WSE November sea tow
WSE Technology and King Island Project
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