Scientists are working on the world's first
operational wave power station, which they say would be able to
supply a small coastal village with electricity.
In an interview on Monday, You Yage said his
research team recently completed a test for the most advanced wave
power system so far.
You is chief scientist for the Ocean Energy
Division of the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, attached
to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
With patented technology on the energy-storage
systems needed, Chinese researchers are leading the world in
developing stable electricity flow generated by waves, You
said.
You said the test met technical expectations and is
shock-resistant and stable. The generator produced about six
kilowatts, better than diesel generators with similar capacity.
This equipment could be used for electricity for
light, computers, air conditioners and seawater desalination, the
scientist said.
He said wave power is one of the most unstable
powers in the world. UK and Portuguese scientists are also
investigating wave power, but their work has so far failed to reach
technical expectations.
You said his team would soon be able to build a
complete wave power station, but he was not so upbeat about
large-scale commercialization in the near future.
The research is being financed by the Ministry of Science and
Technology under its state high technology research and
development project as well as with CAS funds for strategic
research.
Scientists worldwide have long been considering
using waves to generate power. They hope the unending motion of
seawater could provide humans with an endless power supply.
However, current technology for stations is expensive and hard to
maintain.
According to You, a small station with a total
generation capacity of 50 kilowatts could produce 26,300 kwh in a
year, which could sufficiently supply electricity for a seaside
town with fewer than 240 families in residence.
(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2005)