Oyster – The Hydro Electric Wave Energy Device

Oyster is the world’s first hydro-electric wave energy device that has been launched in Scotland and is stationed at the European Marine Energy Center (EMEC) Billia Croo site near Stromness. The device is officially the world first and only hydro-electric wave energy producing device which is actually installed and working.

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Oyster produces power by pumping high pressure water to its onshore hydro-electric turbine which turns to produce energy to feeds into the national grid to power homes in nearby Orkney and beyond. The high pressure water in turns goes out through low pressure pipes back into the sea. The video given below shows the working of Oyster Hydro Electric Wave Energy Device.

The device Oyster is wave energy company Aquamarine Power’s first demonstration-scale wave energy device. The company believes that a farm of 20 Oysters would provide enough energy to power 9,000 three bedroom family homes. In case deployed across the North America shores, it will light up the whole America.

Oyster is designed to capture the energy found in near-shore waves in water depths between 10-16m (33-54ft). There are minimal moving parts and all electrical components are onshore, making it robust enough to withstand the rigors of Scotland’s harsh seas. The first deployed Oyster was switched on by Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond MP, MSP. On the occassion the Minister said:

“I’m delighted to see first-hand the full-scale Oyster now installed and operating offshore. This is a key milestone for Aquamarine Power and for Scotland’s marine renewables sector. Scotland’s potential renewables capacity is estimated to be around 60GW. Our waters hold around ten percent of Europe’s wave power potential and as much as a quarter of its tidal power potential. The EMEC provides world-leading test facilities for Aquamarine and other companies to develop the technology needed to harness this huge untapped potential. I am delighted to confirm further R&D funding of almost £1m (US$1.66 million approx.) to Aquamarine Power for the development of Oyster 2, which could be installed within two years.”

Chief Executive Officer of Aquamarine Power, Martin McAdam, said on the following on the occassion:

“This is a fantastic day for the wave energy industry and for Aquamarine Power. We have proved what we always believed – that wave energy can produce sustainable zero-emission electricity to power our homes. The UK has one of the best wave resources in the world. Now it also has the best technology. This is exactly the kind of support the industry needs. With continued support of this nature we can help decarbonise our electricity supply and build a major, world-beating industry here in the UK.”

With the results from the first deployed Oyster, the company is hoping to improve the overall processes and come out with more efficient and productive commercial product.

Let’s Strive for the Greener World.