PORTUGAL RIDING HIGH ON WAVES

The agreement signed in May between the U.S. and Portugal to cooperate on wave energy technology development was the sign: Wave energy has hit the big time and Portugal is taking the lead in the sector.

In the prototype stage, wave energy devices are expensive. Once the technology is established, wave energy is expected to be as cost competitive with traditional power generation as wind energy, especially because wave energy is both constant and predictable.

Current planned wave energy projects could supply Portugal with 20% of its electricity.

Wisely, Portuguese researchers are still experimenting with both floating and submerged wave energy power-generating devices.

Transmission will be carried to Portugal's onshore demand centers via cables laid on the seabed floor. The biggest challenge aside from a transmission infrastructure is in designing a generating device durable enough to withstand the harsh ocean environment.

See also Potential and Strategy for the Development of Wave Energy in Portugal

Wave energy is a worldwide resource. (click to enlarge)

Portugual leads the way in wave energy
June 26, 2008 (AFP)

WHO
Portuguese leaders and scientists, especially at Portugal’s Wave Energy Centre

WHAT
With policy and scientific researcher facilitating development, Portugal is moving into world leadership in wave energy.

click to enlarge

WHEN
A first pilot project started up 3 years ago. Two othersare planned: 1 scheduled to come online later this year, 1 next year.

WHERE
The first pilot project is on Pico Island in the Azores, 1,500 kilometers (935 miles) off the the mainland. The facility coming on line later this year is at Povoa do Varzim in the north. The facility planned for next year is at Large de Peniche in central Portugal.

WHY
- The Povoa do Varzim will be biggest wave energy power generator in the world so far.
- Portugal has a long, deep water coast with energy-hungry population centers adjacent. The Wave Energy Centre estimates Portugal could generate 15 gigawatts from wave energy along the mainland coast and another 6 gigawatts along its island coasts.
- Transmission from devices to onshore power stations is via cables laid on the sea floor.

A step ahead of most other nations, Portugal has mapped its coasts in detail in preparation for wave energy development. (click to enlarge)


QUOTES
- Professor Antonio Sarmento, head, Centre for Wave Energy: "Between now and 2012 we hope to reach a production capacity of 100 megawatts…The major part of the electricity network is located on the coast, where more than half the Portuguese population lives, and has major growth potential…"
-Unnamed official, Centre for Wave Energy:"While the wind comes and goes as it will, our forecasting capacity with waves is greater…"