First MW-scale wave project launches in Portugal

August 07, 2024

Israeli company Eco Wave Power is preparing to launch its first megawatt-scale installation. This will mark a major advancement in wave energy technology. 
 
For over a decade, the business has been making strides in harnessing the energy of coastal waves to generate electricity.  
 
The firm’s innovative wave energy system harnesses the rise and fall of waves. This motion drives hydraulic pistons, which in turn power a generator. 

The system has been steadily advancing since its early prototypes were first tested in 2012. 
 
A decade of innovation
 
Eco Wave Power’s journey began in 2012 with early prototypes tested in tanks, demonstrating the potential of wave energy. The core technology remains unchanged but has undergone numerous refinements.  
 
The system uses floaters attached to coastal infrastructure that rise and fall with the waves. This motion drives hydraulic pistons. These pistons move fluid to a land-based accumulator. The compressed hydraulic fluid is then released to power an electric generator, producing electricity. 
 
The system is designed for continuous operation, with the added benefit of being able to raise the floats during rough conditions to avoid damage. This design not only ensures reliability but also simplifies installation and maintenance, reducing the need for extensive undersea cabling.

Gibraltar became home to the first grid-connected Eco Wave Power setup in 2016. This system operated for six years before its components were either overhauled or recycled and shipped to the Port of Los Angeles for a demonstration project. 
 
In the past year, a new installation was connected to the grid at Jaffa Port in Israel. The company has also secured significant deals worldwide, including a major 77-MW wave energy station project in Turkey.

Porto’s pioneering project
 
The spotlight is now on Porto, Portugal, where Eco Wave Power is preparing to launch its first megawatt-scale project. Although the project was announced in 2020, construction approval was only granted in March of this year.  
 
Inna Bravermann, founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power, and her team have recently met with key stakeholders to officially kick off the construction of this groundbreaking project.

The Porto site will not only feature the first 1-megawatt wave energy station but also house a unique wave energy museum and education center beneath the breakwater. 
 
This facility will serve as both a public attraction and a hub for Eco Wave Power’s equipment. Construction of the initial project is anticipated to begin within the next two years, with plans to expand across four locations, reaching a total capacity of up to 20 megawatts. 
 
“We believe that this will be the first wave energy project in the world to show significant energy production from the power of the waves,” said Bravermann in the press release. 
 
“I truly believe that this revolutionary project will position Eco Wave Power as a leading wave energy developer and serve as a significant milestone towards the commercialization of our wave energy technology globally.” 
 
A vision for the future
 
Eco Wave Power’s mission is to combat climate change by converting ocean and sea waves into green electricity. The company’s technology, recognized as “Pioneering Technology” by the Israeli Energy Ministry, has already achieved significant milestones, including Israel’s first grid-connected wave energy system.

The company is set to begin installations of additional projects in the Port of Los Angeles and Portugal, with a total pipeline of 404.7 MW. 
 
Eco Wave Power has received funding from notable sources, including the European Union Regional Development Fund, Innovate UK, and the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program. The company was also honored with the “Global Climate Action Award” from the United Nations. 
 
Eco Wave Power’s American Depositary Shares (WAVE) are traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market, reflecting its growing influence and commitment to advancing wave energy technology.