A new form of renewable energy achieved commercial status in mid-November when the world’s first commercial wave power station, LIMPET, began operating on the Scottish island if Islay, providing power to the United Kingdom power grid. The new 500-kilowatt power station uses a technology called the oscillating water column, in which the incoming waves push air up and down inside a concrete tube that is partially submerged in the ocean. The air rushing into and out of the top of the tube is used to drive a turbine to produce electricity. LIMPET is able to provide enough electricity for about 400 local homes.
This milestone event has opened the door for wave power to become a major contributor of renewable energy and assist meeting obligations under the Kyoto Protocol by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. With modular Construction and simple operation, LIMPET would be able to fulfill a growing need for coastal communities all over the world, especially islands seeking to replace diesel generation with clean indigenous power while revitalizing maritime industries. The LIMPET station has a 15-year power purchase agreement with the major Public Electricity Suppliers in Scotland.
WAVEGEN, a world leading wave power developer, and Queen’s University Belfast jointly developed LIMPET with European Union (EU) support. For further details, visit www.eren.doe.gov or www.wavegen.co.uk.
Based on a report from EREN Network News (US Dept. of Energy)
