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Wave energy thanks to gigantic swaying buoys attracts the attention of the oil giant

Wave energy thanks to gigantic swaying buoys attracts the attention of the oil giant

By: Teun Schröders

Swedish CorPower, which makes large floating systems to harvest wave energy, is entering into a partnership with oil giant Total Energies. Remarkably, Total Energies has one of the most diverse portfolios in the field of renewable energy projects at European level.
CorPower wants to generate energy with a 19 meter high buoy that floats on the water. The device is called a WEC, or Wave Energy Converter. The buoy floats and contains internal mechanisms that amplify the force of the waves. The concept is reminiscent of the phenomenon where someone on a trampoline shoots into the air when a second person also jumps at the right time. The moving parts in the buoy can thus amplify the force of a 1 meter wave to the force of a 3 meter wave.

Buoys off the coast
The company itself says it is inspired by the movements of the human heart. Generators in the empty chambers of the buoy convert the power of waves into electricity. A single buoy has a power of 300 kilowatts. For comparison: the average onshore wind turbine has a capacity of 2,000 kilowatts. To ensure that the buoys do not float away, they are anchored to the seabed. Submarine cabling then ensures that the energy is brought to land. According to CorPower, large fields of floating buoys for coastal towns can make a significant contribution to nearby cities.
Interest from Total Energies
The French oil giant Total Energies has now shown interest in CorPower. The two companies want to set up a pilot project called HiWave-5 off the coast of Agucadoura, Portugal. For CorPower, the pilot provides valuable information that is needed to mature the technology. Total, in turn, can contribute with its knowledge of offshore installations, maintenance and cabling.

Major green investor
Earlier this year, research by analysts at energy research agency Rystad showed that Total Energies has the largest portfolio of renewable energy projects of any company in Europe. Their portfolio is the most diverse, "but contains fewer mature projects than other developers," says Rystad. Total focuses mainly on a mix of solar, wind and battery technology. Of course, it remains to be seen which technologies will really break through. But it is clear that Total Energies is betting on a large number of horses.
Wave energy potential
According to Ocean Energy Europe, wave and tidal energy could supply 10 percent of all electricity in Europe and create as many as 500,000 jobs by 2050. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates the potential of global wave energy production at 29,500 terawatts per year, almost ten times current European energy consumption.

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  • Rotich Kim

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    46 w

    This has been a great topic in cop28 but oil company should now investor in alternative method of provide energy

    6
    • George Kariuki

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      46 w

      The impact of large fields of buoys on marine life and coastal ecosystems needs careful evaluation and mitigation strategies. But overall this is significant step in the right direction.

      1
      • walter lungayi

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        •

        46 w

        Interesting potential for renewable energy and diversification for oil companies though that's not enough they can do better than that.

        2
        • johnte ndeto

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          46 w

          Oil companies should consider investing on the alternative clean and renewable energy

          10
          • Elizabeth Gathigia

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            46 w

            @johnte_ndeto I agree with you

            1
          • Princess

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            46 w

            It's promising to see an oil giant exploring wave energy with companies like Swedish CorPower.

            9

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