Harnesses the power of waves, wind and sun: how an unusual energy raft works

NoviOcean's HEC raft will be able to provide electricity to 1,000 homes every day.

Swedish company NoviOcean aims to develop producing clean energy with its innovative Hybrid Energy Converter (HEC). About it writes Interesting Engineering.

The company claims that HEC's modular design and proven components simplify manufacturing, installation and maintenance, as well as low environmental impact and a higher power-to-weight ratio than offshore wind farms.

Jan Skjoldhammer, founder and CEO of NoviOcean, explained that the company makes the most of renewable energy by combining wave, wind and solar energy in one solution, ensuring power generation even when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing. Each unit can provide electricity to more than 1,000 households per day. Currently, the company is looking for 12 million euros to launch the NoviOcean device into serial production and increase its technological readiness level (TRL).

The NoviOcean wave power station resembles a 38 m long rectangular raft. It rests on the waves, and below is a cylinder filled with water, connected to the seabed by a piston rod and cable. Anchors hold the installation in place. At the top of the raft, six vertical wind turbines generate 300 kW, supplemented by solar panels that produce 50-80 kW, for a total of about 1 MW. Average capacity utilization is about 40 percent.

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The wave power plant works like a garden pump. As the raft rises, water is pumped up and flows at high speed into a Pelton turbine, generating electricity. The design uses proven technologies with innovative elements, including a system patented in 20 countries.

Developed over several years, NoviOcean's wave energy technology has been tested in wave pools and in a real environment near Stockholm. A small version powers houses on the island of Svanholmen, proving that the concept works at sea. On one square kilometer, 15 wave farms can generate 15 MW, compared to 10 MW of offshore wind. Together, they can produce 25 MW, splitting the cost of the offshore area and the transmission cable.

The hybrid approach provides more stable power, as the waves generate electricity for days after the wind dies down. In addition, wave farms can be placed closer to shore without visually disturbing the coastline.

NoviOcean's next step will be to launch a full-scale pilot project, seeking partnerships with offshore wind companies to build a hybrid wave farm turbines, wind turbines and solar panels. Due to insufficient wave activity in Swedish waters, the coasts of North and South America are potential locations.

However, Sweden could still benefit from electricity generated off the coast of Norway, where waves and wind are ideal conditions, providing clean energy to such regions , like Ostersund and Karlstad.