New Combined Solution to Harness Wave Energy—Full Renewable Potential for Sustainable Electricity and Fresh Water Production

Abstract

This paper is a first general dissemination of the H2020 Project Wave to Energy and Water (W2EW) started in January 2019. The joint vision of the W2EW consortium (Wavepiston, Ener.Med, Fiellberg, Vryhof) is to deliver a world-beating wave powered technology solution for electricity production and desalination. It relies on the innovative integration of wave energy and sea water desalination technologies, to produce zero-emission electricity and fresh water, with dynamic optimization of energy production and maximizing the available wave energy using fresh water as storage. The W2EW solution enables competitive cost of electricity and water. The present project is critical to demonstrate the W2EW solution in a real-life environment, to reduce the risk profile of the solution and to build the market to pave the way for broad market roll-out. The scope of the paper is to introduce the project W2EW and its expected results to a broader audience.

Keywords

• wave energy
• renewable energy
• water desalination
• zero-emission electricity
• smart grid
• smart island
• island sustainability
• decarbonising islands