We are currently working towards our 1st demonstration system deployment off the coast of Peru, set to occur in the spring of 2015. While this demonstration system will consist of a string of 5 buoys, a complete array of 15 pumps will power roughly 200 homes, additionally replacing energy previously sourced from coal. Our demonstration system will provide proof of concept for a fully functional system deployment in December of 2015, opening the doors for larger system implementation across the globe in ’16 and ’17. For this initial demonstration, we are sourcing parts from Albuquerque, NM as well as Lima, Peru.
But why Peru as a pilot array location?
Peru site location
- Peru is an ideal location for this first Atmocean project due to the steady waves which originate in the Antarctic and are carried towards Peru’s coast. With less seasonal variability, efficiency is higher and costs are lower.
- Peru utilities under Peruvian law, purchase 100% of new sources of renewable electricity.
- By delivering pressurized seawater onshore to generate electricity, we’re also organizing to supply a local desalination plant and ice-making facility to this very arid region.
- The business climate in Peru is excellent, with its economy maintaining robust growth at 5% per year with low inflation, accelerating its need for new sources of energy. While it has gas reserves in the Amazon, these raise environmental concerns as well as cultural impacts on the indigenous people. Our ability to offset their natural gas, oil demands, and coal imports, acts twofold in our efforts to bring about a new source of clean energy.
Wave energy target market
Why Atmocean compared to other wave energy providers?
- As our system does not generate electricity at sea, but works by pumping seawater to shore, we’re able to separate mechanical production at sea from electrical production on land. This leads to reduced capital investment necessary to make our system work.
- As our system is modular and fits into standard shipping containers, it can be mass-produced and rolled out over a short period of time, generating economy of scale.
- By mooring our whole system vs. attaching each pump to the seafloor, Atmocean has a minimal impact on the benthic environment.
- Requiring less complicated and costly operations and maintenance, which is often associated with sub sea divers, annual costs are further reduced.
Why now?
- Atmocean began business in 2006 and has to date conducted 14 sea trials, been awarded seven grants from Sandia National Laboratories, the Oregon Wave Energy Trust, and UK’s Technology Strategy Board. Additionally, Atmocean has performed six trials at the wave tank testing facility located at the University of Plymouth (UK). This R&D has allowed us to run the simulations, deploy the pilot buoy tests, and generate the models to get us through the prototype stage. This has brought us to the point where this project is ready for a system deployment based off of our proven technology.
Pilot pump deployment off the coast of Oregon (2013)
