Australian and New Zealand based EHL Group in co-operation with NWEI have developed and refined a unique and patented wave technology system to utilise the potential energy within ocean waves. Identifying the ongoing challenges of climate change, and the need for emissions reductions, the systems have been under development since 2004 and are now Commercial Ready
Commercial Scale AZURA towed to Deployment site
Rigorous development and innovative engineering have expanded the capabilities whereby the AZURA wave Technology system can produce potable water, energy, or both from a single unit whilst contributing zero emissions. Utilising the resource that surrounds us with higher efficiency, 24/7 uptime, and without the horizonal impact or land use of wind turbines and solar farms. The AZURA will form part of the supply mix ensuring the flow of energy continues if the sun is not shining or the wind not blowing either from singular units or in arrays for larger requirements.
Following multiple evolutionary units deployed off NZ’s coast, two full scale 20kW prototype units having been deployed for testing. One unit has been successfully tested off the coast of NZ (Moa Point) and the other has been through exhaustive testing initially at the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Centre’s (NNMREC) ocean test site off Portland, Oregon, (with the DoE and validated by the University of Oregon) and was subsequently deployed at the US Navy’s Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii for 18 months. The University of Hawaii independently monitored and validated performance data which enabled an enhanced unit to then deploy for a further 18months. The testing has been very successful with 98% operational uptime, energy conversion efficiency of >50%, and robust seaworthiness validated when weathering multiple hurricanes and >7.5m waves.
The ability of the AZURA to produce potable water via onboard desalination technology and pump it to shore whilst creating zero emissions and lessening the impact on current water sources (artesian bores, environmental river flows, etc) can assist the water supply security of coastal towns from mainland sites to regional island-based communities throughout the Pacific and further afield. The need for both energy and water security supplies have been highlighted during recent extreme weather events where many communities lost their power supplies, and water supplies became intermittent or contaminated.
Many areas are currently searching for pathways to ensure their water supply security during ongoing high rainfall variations and lessening the impact on aquifer or traditional water sources. This must be done whilst minimizing the potential cost and concerns raised about the energy requirements for desalination operations. AZURA offers an energy neutral solution with the ability to provide > 2 million litres of potable water per unit per day.
AZURA provides an opportunity to create a locally based renewables technology, manufacturing, and export business, providing jobs and community support whilst putting downward pressure on the escape spend as other renewable technologies are imported.
