Green Wave’s wave turbines have been developed with the philosophy that they should be environmentally non-invasive and uncomplicated – and tough enough to work in the rough environment of the ocean. Our turbine consists of nothing more than a structurally reinforced fiberglass cylinder with a large propeller (or impeller) inside that’s connected to an electric generator. No oil or hydraulics are involved. The turbine is vertically anchored into a fixed spot (outside the breakers in a location predetermined based on local stakeholders’ recommendations) with just its top peeking out of the water. The generator is also easily connected to other Green Wave turbines that make up the power plant, or the substation nearby on land. The generator’s production relies on the water rising and falling inside the cylinder, to turn the propeller and generate electricity.
The Green Wave generator is unique in that it makes use of water going past a propeller (impeller) twice – when it goes up, and when it comes back down in cylinder. Every other technology makes use of water going through or past a turbine or propeller (impeller) only once.
Green Wave turbines can be deployed in any number of units (prototype group, 100, 200, 500, etc.) depending on the location and the electricity production goals. The cost to produce power and maintain a 1MW plant over its expected 20-year service life (without accounting for incentives) can be as little as 5 cents per kilowatt hour (assuming 2 meter swell), with a payback period of as little as 2.1 years. That compares favorably to fossil fuel-based plants—with costs of 3-4 per kWh—and is environmentally friendly as well.
