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PRIMRE/Databases/Projects Database/Devices/Waves4Power WaveEL
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Waves4Power WaveEL
The WaveEL buoy is best described as a very large pump where two masses are acting against each other. One mass is the buoy itself, including the acceleration tube, and the other is the mass of the water piston inside the tube connected to a power conversion system. As waves rise and lower the buoy with the attached tube, they will move differently from the water column in the tube. By placing a piston in the tube, connected to a hydraulic conversion system, a gigantic pump is created.
Prior to 5/13/24, the Waves4Power WaveEL deployment was considered a Project in Projects Database. Following is the description from that page:
In early 2016 a full-size Waves4Power system was launched approximately half a Nautical mile south west of the Runde Island, south of Ålesund in Norway. The system is comprised of a WaveEL buoy – eight meters in diameter – connected via a dynamic low voltage cable to a connection hub. A transformer in the hub increases the voltage to 22 kV before transmitting it via a subsea cable to the shore-based power grid. June 2, 2017, the system started delivery of power to the local electric grid. On September 21, H.M. King Harald V of Norway officiated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the system, inaugurating the future industrial development of wave power by Waves4Power in Norway. The system was fully functional on site from June 2 until mid. November 2017, at which time – two of the mooring lines were mechanically impacted (cut straight off) by unknown means – the buoy had to be recovered from the site. The plan is to reinstall and grid connect the buoy in Q4 2021, after upgrades.
Additional Information
Device Status
Is the device actively being developed or is available for purchase (active)? Or has development or support ended (inactive)?
Active
Technology Type
Power Take-Off
Mechanism that converts the motion of the prime mover into a useful form of energy such as electricity, learn more
Hydraulic Generator
Max Rated Power Capacity
The maximum amount of electricity that can be produced by the device, as rated by the manufacturer.
200 KW
Surface ExpressionTrue
Estimated TRL
Estimated Technology Readiness Level scale from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature technology
TRL Last updated: 30 September 2019
7
Energy Resource
- Wave
Water Column Position
Surface
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Submerged - Mid
Entire Water Column
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Submerged - Bottom
Last Modified
6 June 2025
Test Sites where Waves4Power WaveEL was tested
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Citation Formats
“Waves4Power WaveEL.” Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/Waves4Power_WaveEL. Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.
Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices. <year>. "Waves4Power WaveEL." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/Waves4Power_WaveEL.
