IIT Madras researchers develop technology to generate electricity from Sea Waves

Tags: Science and Technology

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Researchers have developed an 'Ocean Wave Energy Converter' that can generate electricity from sea waves.

Important facts

• The trials of this device were successfully completed during the second week of November 2022.

• The system, named 'Sindhuja-I', was deployed by the researchers about six kilometres off the coast of Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, where the sea depth is about 20 metres.

• Sindhuja-I can currently produce 100 watts of power. It will generate one megawatt of power in the next three years.

• The research team plans to deploy a remote water desalination system and a surveillance camera at the location by December 2023. 

What is Sindhuja-I system?

• The system has been named 'Sindhuja-1', which means 'originating from the ocean'.

• The system consists of a floating buoy, a spar and an electrical module.

• As the wave moves up and down, the buoy moves up and down. In the current design, a balloon-like system called a 'buoy' has a central hole that allows a long rod called a spar to pass through.

• The spar can be attached to the seabed, and passing waves will not affect it, while the buoy will move up and down and generate relative motion between them.

• Relative motion drives an electric generator to generate electricity. In the current design the spar floats and a mooring chain keeps the system in place.