How The Power Of Ocean Waves Could Yield Freshwater With Zero Carbon Emissions

[kristopher]

How The Power Of Ocean Waves Could Yield Freshwater With Zero Carbon Emissions
BY JEFF SPROSS ON AUGUST 30, 2013 AT 9:27 AM

CREDIT: Shutterstock
A new project in Australia aims to create freshwater by harnessing the kinetic force of ocean waves, RenewEconomy reports. Run by the Perth-based firm Carnegie Wave Energy in cooperation with the Water Corporation, and supported by a $1.27 million grant from the Australian Federal Government’s AusIndustry Clean Technology Innovation Program, the plant will use Carnegie’s proprietary CETO wave energy technology to power reverse osmosis desalination. The resulting process, free of carbon emissions, “will be a world first” according to CEO Michael Ottaviano.

Reverse osmosis desalination has been in use for several decades, and works simply enough: high pressure is used to force saltwater through a membrane, producing drinkable freshwater on the other end. Traditionally the pressure is provided with electric pumps powered by fossil fuels, resulting in both carbon dioxide emissions and lots of points for energy loss.

But instead of relying on those electric pumps, Carnegie is using the latest iteration of its CETO technology — CETO 5 — to supply that pressure with wave energy instead. Underwater buoys eleven meters in diameter are installed offshore, and as ocean waves catch them, the movement supplies hydraulic power to pump seawater up underground pipes to shore. At that point, the water runs into the desalination plant, where it directly supplies the pressure for the reverse osmosis. Some of that hydraulic energy is also converted into electric power as needed.

The resulting system not only cuts out all carbon dioxide emissions, it also greatly reduces the points where energy can be lost, making the process much more energy efficient and cost-effective.

The two megawatt demonstration project will be situated on Garden Island....

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/08/30/2554091/ocean-waves-freshwater/

[Hydra]

1. This is the right idea

Clean energy in, useful product(s) out.

[phantom power]

2. reminds me a little of the hydraulic hybrid xmission designs

you don't always have to use electrons as a mediator

[bvar22]

3. Kudos.

I like this.
Simple.
Few Moving parts.
Looks easy to build...on any scale.
Mostly underwater or below ground so seaside communities should have no objections.

Gains: No Emissions electricity & fresh water.

[silverweb]

4. So get building already!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]The world's fresh water situation is critical and getting worse fast. These installations need to be everywhere ASAP.

[felix_numinous]

5. K&R-A great investment.

water could be used to replenish dried lands too.

[mopinko]

6. ok, see, i said this last week.

nyanya

[Enthusiast]

7. This is a wonderful idea! nt

[CRH]

8. Sounds almost as simple as a hydraulic ram. n/t