Wave generated energy is coming to Maui
In a news release from the Hawaiian Electric Company, Oceanlinx Limited, an Australia-based high-tech company, formally announced plans to provide electric power from Hawaii's first wave based energy project. The proposed project aims to provide up to 2.7 megawatts from 2 or 3 floating platforms located half a mile off Pauwela Point on the north shore of Maui. The platforms measure about 65 by 100 feet and 15-25 feet high and will not likely affect the views from shore. On board the platforms, rising and falling seas push and pull air past turbines, creating electricity which is then brought ashore through an undersea cable to a substation tied to the electrical grid. The $20 million ocean power generator would produce enough to power about 500 homes.
This is a new thing for Maui and still needs to go through the permitting process before construction can begin. Negotiations are still underway with Maui Electric Company, regarding distribution and rates. If all goes well, they anticipate being ready to rock and roll within a couple of years.
Pineapples are still grown in the Pauwela area of Haiku. This largely agricultural area will be the distribution point for the inbound electricity.
Learn more about Oceanlinx on their site.
Find out the story behind Oceanlinx from the Maui News.
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That is very interesting I look forward to hearing more about it.
Your Friend in Charlottesville!
Tony & Darcy - If they can pull it off, it will really help out.
Don McCoy - I heard rumors that Oceanlinx already did one off Oregon, and it sank! ... have you heard about that?
Charles - Hawaii is trying to be a leader in the "green" energy movement.
Hi Georgina...I checked into it and all I can find is this article from a report. It is controled sinking and this has to do with wave generation:
Oceanographic scientists are using new, high-tech gliders to monitor Oregon's ocean with results that are both faster and cheaper than by manned vessels. The autonomous underwater vehicle is a robot. It flies through the sea by changing its buoyancy-taking on water to become heavy and sink, then expelling the water to become light and rising. Small wings turn vertical motion into forward motion, so that the glider moves without propulsion
Don - that's interesting... litte underwater robots!
Frank - I think it will be difficult because we get some seriously big waves here in the winter months.
My gosh this is fascinating - I knew they've been talking for years about harnessing wave energy but didn't realize that it's actually here now!
Awesome, informative post Georgina!
Hi Deborah! - I'll be keeping an eye on this project - easy enough as I drive by it every time I go to town.
(PS - I've been clicking for hunger every time I remember)
Hi Georgina - this is a step in the right direction to bring this to Hawaii and the rest of the US. Other countries overseas (which countries escape me right now!) It is great technology~expensive but none the less great to see it happening!
Mary - every little bit helps.... I hope Maui can be an shining example.
BJ - that's fantastic! More places should be doing it.