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Eskom explores wave energy
25/02/2008 14:51 - (SA)
Francois Williams
Johannesburg - Eskom is serious about renewable energy and aims to have an operational capacity of 1 400 MW from renewable sources by 2025, says Terence Govender, the head of Eskom's research department.
Eskom has been doing research about the viability of harnessing the power of waves since 2002, said Govender at a working group meeting held last week.
A study is underway to determine the best place for a wave power facility and should be concluded by March. The assessment needs to consider sea routes, harbours, river mouths, the consistency of the energy that waves generate, the proximity of the Eskom power grid and the environmental impact.
Govender says that there are countless ways to harness the energy that oceans provide and that Eskom has identified the top 10 methods for further research.
Detailed projections of the energy resources at the coast have been underway since 2005. The study will be concluded next year.
The company will be installing technology to monitor the wave patterns at strategic places for the next two years. A geophysical survey of the ocean floor will be completed by the end of February.
Eskom is comparing the cost of the various technologies to determine which will be the most viable. Technology is constantly changing and Eskom welcomes suggestions from technology suppliers, says Govender.
The costs for three years of the pilot project and viability studies amounting to R500 000 may be available from the World Wildlife Fund and Eskom. This is for demonstration projects of less than 1MW.
The working group was organised by the University of Stellenbosch's Centre for Renewable and Sustainable energy.
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