Climate change shows several imbalances (and threatens further with the arrival of the "Niña"). This is why we need to push more and more on renewable energies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CorPower Ocean, a European company, takes part in the challenge with a special marine buoy that harnesses the energy of the waves to produce electricity.
A giant of the sea, the result of 40 years of research in the field of hydrodynamic engineering.
The heart of innovation: biomimicry
The secret of this buoy lies in its ability to imitate the human heart: it is no coincidence that it was invented by a cardiologist, Stig Lundback.
The device uses vertical oscillations to generate energy. The 19m high, 9m diameter buoy is anchored to the ocean floor via an advanced live anchoring system. A much more efficient mechanism than traditional gravity or monopile anchors, which can be installed quickly and silently, without disturbing marine fauna.
How does the CorPower tidal buoy work?
Inside the buoy, a mechanical transmission converts the linear movement of the waves into rotation, and then transforms this into electricity thanks to the integrated generators.
Thanks to a negative spring technology, the buoy's own movement is amplified, increasing the amount of energy produced. Again: the system has an advanced phase control device, which allows it to function optimally in any sea condition.
Result? A buoy that can generate up to five times more energy per ton than other tidal energy systems.
Some more data
Each buoy has an output of more than 300 kW, the company says on its website. It is obviously possible to connect several buoys in "CorPark", obtaining parks of energy from wave motion, up to hundreds of megawatts.
In addition to good performance, this marine power generation system offers a low environmental impact and cost effective solution. The buoy can be produced at "zero kilometres", directly at the installation sites, thanks to a sort of mobile factory.
Another significant advantage of this innovation is that the energy production from wavy way it is greatest in the evening hours and during the winter months. Just when the electricity demand is highest!
Not bad, I'd say: when a solution "puts its heart into it" these are the results.
