A novel new design for the desalination of seawater using wave energy

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Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK

£95,000

March 1, 2012

Sept. 30, 2012

Zyba has developed and patented a significant improvement in green technology that harnesses energy from ocean waves and converts it into a usable form using a wave-paddle. Whilst this device can be used for the generation of electricity, it is particularly well suited for pumping high-pressure seawater to an onshore reverse osmosis desalination unit. This will enable the production of fresh water for either drinking or agriculture, by using a dependable and renewable source of energy, which has no carbon emissions.
Globally, the availability of fresh water is a significant challenge, with water sources under stress throughout much of world. It is estimated that 1/5 of the world population do not have enough water to meet all their needs. This situation is only getting worse, with some estimates suggesting that the world needs 30% more fresh water by 2030, much of which is needed for agriculture to feed the increasing World population. Even in England, a nation famed for its rain, Defra recently commented “Making sure we have enough water is going to be one of the main challenges facing this country in years ahead”. Numerous potential solutions are being considered and Thames Water has recently constructed a desalination plant to support London’s needs. However, like most similar schemes, this plant will rely heavily on fossil fuels.
This project seeks to identify sites throughout the world that have the appropriate mix of ocean wave conditions, topography, demand, infrastructure, and political support / stability to allow this technology to be deployed. Following a broad identification of possible areas we will work with NGO’s within developing countries and government agencies to identify twenty potential sites that have the required characteristics. Each of these will be studied in detail, to quantify both the demand and likely output over a 20 year period. We will publish key results on our website (www.zyba.com) and in relevant journals.