The possibility of obtaining cheap, renewable electric energy has recently become one of the most pressing problems of mankind. The conquest of sea wave energy and its conversion into electricity was made possible due to the invention of the engineers from Scotland and Italy. New power plants are not only cheaper but also more reliable than traditional turbines since they have fewer moving parts and are made of highly durable materials.
The invention is called a dielectric elastomer generator (DEG). Its operation is based on the creation of excess pressure in the vertical columns in which the membranes are installed. The columns are filled with water that comes when the waves roll in, and this creates additional air pressure, which is transmitted to the membrane.
One DEG generator can generate electricity in the equivalent of up to 500 kW. This is enough to service about 100 houses. Developers from the University of Edinburgh plan to put up new generators along the coast of Scotland and, if possible, replace the already installed turbine power plants which are more expensive to operate.
Scientists believe that the energy of numerous waves is a valuable resource in Scotland, allowing to produce green energy at the lowest cost.
