UNDIMOTRIZ ENERGY: What is it, how it works, types, examples, advantages and disadvantages

Undimotriz energy is a form of renewable energy that is obtained from Movement of waves in the sea. This energy is used through technologies that capture the kinetic and potential energy generated by the sway and the height of the waves, turning it into electricity. Unlike other renewable energy sources, waves are constant and predictable, allowing a more stable generation of energy.

In this other article you can learn about the different types of energy and examples.

The functioning of the eldimotric energy is based on the conversion of the movement of the waves into electricity through systems that transform the mechanical energy of the water into electrical energy. There are several technologies to take advantage of this energy. These are the most common:

• Flotation buoys: The movement of the buoys activates a system of pistons or generators located inside the buoy or in the seabed, which converts the energy of the movement into electricity.
• Oscilating water columns: When a wave arrives, it raises the water level inside the chamber and compresses the air inside, which passes through a turbine that converts the energy of the air flow into electricity. When the wave goes back, the air is successful, maintaining the flow.
• Termination devices: This type of technology uses fixed structures that intercept the waves to create a pressure that moves a piston or an embol system, generating energy.
• Floating wave devices: They are systems of several connected sections that float on the water. When moving with the waves, they generate energy through a system of hinges and pistons.

Undimotriz energy can be classified according to different criteria, usually depending on the system location and the collection technology used:

• Undimotriz Energy of Costa (ONSHORE): The Onshore systems are located in the coastline or near it. Being more accessible, they are usually easier to install and maintain. However, they are more exposed to changes in the coastal environment, such as storms or erosion, already possible impacts on the nearby ecosystem. Oscilating water column devices (OWC) are usually used in this location.
• Open Sea Energy Energy (Offshore): Offshore systems are placed inside sea, where the waves tend to be more constant and strong. Being far from the coast, they can better take advantage of the movement of water without interfering in the coastal landscape, although installation and maintenance are more expensive. Among the open sea systems, are flotation buoys and some edge devices, which can be anchored to the seabed or float on the surface.

There are projects around the world that exemplify the different approaches and technologies of the Energy Energy. Let’s see some outstanding examples:

Pelamis Wave Power (Scotland)

The pelamis system consists of several connected segments that resemble a floating snake. When moving with the waves, the segments are flexed and compressed hydraulic generators located in the unions, generating electricity.

Wave Hub (United Kingdom)

The Wave Hub is a project in Cornualles, the United Kingdom, which acts as an underwater connection platform to test various eldimotriz energy technologies. This infrastructure allows multiple devices of different companies to connect at the same time to generate electricity and share it with the British electricity grid.

Mutriku Wave Power Plant (Spain)

The Mutriku Endimotriz Energy Plant, located in the Basque Country is one of the first commercial facilities of undymootriz energy in Europe. Use the oscillating water column (OWC) technology, which takes advantage of the air cameras located in the port break. As the waves rise and lower, the air in the cameras is compressed and passes through turbines that generate electricity.

We will see what are the main advantages and disadvantages of the eldimotric energy:

Advantages of endimotriz energy

• It is a source of renewable and clean energy: It is a clean energy source that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or pollutants during electricity generation.
• Take advantage of a constant and predictable resource: The waves are generally more constant and predictable than wind or sunlight, since they depend on global atmospheric phenomena that act on the oceans on a regular basis.
• High energy density: The waves contain an amount of energy per area greater than other renewable sources, such as wind.
• Reduces fossil fuel dependence: By offering a renewable alternative, the endimotor energy helps reduce the use of fossil fuels and contribute to the transition to a more sustainable energy system.
• Minimum visual impact in the case of submerged devices: Unlike wind turbines or large solar panels, submerged endimotor energy devices, such as buoys and panels in the seabed, are less visible and, therefore, have a lower visual impact on the coastal landscape.

Disadvantages of endimotor energy

High installation and maintenance costs: undymoth energy devices must support extreme marine conditions, such as corrosion, storms and the strength of the waves. This requires durable materials and designs, which significantly increases installation costs. In addition, maintenance in the marine environment is usually complex and expensive.

• Environmental impact and marine life: Although it is less invasive than other forms of energy, eldimotric energy can affect marine ecosystems.
• Interference with maritime activities: The presence of undimotoric devices can interfere with traditional activities in the sea, such as fishing, maritime transport and tourism.
• Limited to certain geographical areas: Undimotor energy is only viable in areas with sufficient wave activity, such as the coasts exposed to open oceans and seas with strong waves.
• Development Technology: This type of energy is still in a development stage and has not been implemented on a large scale in many parts of the world.

• Both renewable energies take advantage of the movement of water, but they do it differently and depend on different phenomena. While the undymootriz It is based on the Wave movement on the surface of the sea, the Mareomotriz Take advantage of the Movement of tides.
• The Energy availability Undimotriz is relatively constant over time, but the waves can vary in size and intensity according to the weather and stations. On the other hand, tidal energy, depending on the tides, is highly predictable.
• In Technology of energy collection also differ. The undymootriz uses devices such as those we have seen of floating buoys, oscillating water columns and segmented platforms, which convert the swing of waves into mechanical or hydraulic energy, which is then transformed into electricity. Mareomotriz energy takes advantage of the energy of tides with tidal dams and currents.

Now that you have learned about what is undymootriz energy, we encourage you to better know the tidal energy: advantages and disadvantages.

If you want to read more articles similar to UNDIMOTRIZ ENERGY: What is it, how it works, types, examples, advantages and disadvantageswe recommend that you enter our category of renewable energy.