Aguçadoura Wave Park

For the last post of this year, I want to inform you of the first ever wave farm. Enjoy it and Happy New Year!

Aguçadoura Wave Park is the world's first commercial wave farm. It is located three miles offshore near Póvoa de Varzim north of Porto in Portugal. The farm uses three Pelamis wave energy converters to convert the motion of the ocean surface waves into electricity. The farm was officially opened on the 23 September 2008 by the Portuguese minister of the economy.

Developed by the Scottish company Pelamis Wave Power (formally Ocean Power Delivery), the Pelamis machine is made up of connected sections which flex and bend relative to one another as waves run along the structure. This motion is resisted by hydraulic rams which pump high pressure oil through hydraulic motors which in turn drive electrical generators. The three machines which make up the Aguçadoura farm are each rated at 750kW, giving an installed capacity of 2.25MW, enough to meet the average electricity demand of more than 1,500 Portuguese homes.

A second phase of the project is now planned to increase the installed capacity from 2.25MW to 21MW using a further 25 Pelamis machines.