Sweden – The HEC barge harnesses wave, wind, and solar energy, providing stable electricity production with a total capacity of approximately 1 MW.
Swedish renewable energy company NoviOcean has developed the Hybrid Energy Converter (HEC) to simultaneously capture wave, wind, and solar energy, reducing the cost of clean electricity production, Interesting Engineering reported on October 1. Additionally, HEC generates significantly more electricity than traditional offshore wind farms within the same sea area.
According to NoviOcean, HEC features a modular design with proven components, making it easy to manufacture, install, and maintain while minimizing environmental impact. “Our machine maximizes renewable energy by combining wave, wind, and solar power into a single solution, ensuring electricity production even when there is no sunlight or wind. Each unit can supply electricity to more than 1,000 households per day,” said Jan Skjoldhammer, founder and CEO of NoviOcean.
The HEC converter resembles a 38-meter-long rectangular barge. It aligns with the direction of the waves and features a water-filled cylinder beneath it, connected to the seabed via a piston rod and cables. Anchors help keep the barge in place.
The system operates similarly to a garden pump. As the barge rises, water is pumped up and flows at high speed to a Pelton turbine, generating electricity. The wave power capacity of the barge is 650 kW. Additionally, it is equipped with six vertical-axis wind turbines producing 300 kW and solar panels generating 50–80 kW, bringing the total capacity to approximately 1 MW.
NoviOcean’s wave energy technology has been in development for years and has been tested in wave tanks and real-world conditions. A smaller version of the HEC has already supplied power to homes on Svanholmen Island, Sweden, proving its effectiveness at sea.
An area of 1 km² can accommodate 15 barges, generating 15 MW of electricity. In comparison, a traditional offshore wind farm in the same area would produce only about 10 MW. By combining both solutions, the total capacity can reach 25 MW while sharing costs related to sea space and transmission cables.
According to NoviOcean, the HEC provides stable energy production because waves can continue generating electricity for days even after the wind has subsided. Moreover, these barges can be placed close to shore without disrupting the landscape.
The next step for NoviOcean is to launch a large-scale pilot project in collaboration with offshore wind companies to develop hybrid farms. Since wave activity in Swedish waters is not strong enough, potential locations include the coasts of North and South America.
Thu Thảo (According to Interesting Engineering)
Source : https://vnexpress.net/be-nang-luong-hon-hop-cung-cap-dien-cho-1-000-nha-moi-ngay-4799289.html
