Wave energy plants in Brazil

Brazil has seen its first generation of wave power after a machine has started generating energy in the country's coastal waters. The wave converter prototype has started producing power as part of the Brazil Electricity Regulatory Agency's (ANEEL) R&D project. The prototype, which is located on the coast of Porto do Pec'em, in S~ao Goncalo do Amarante, Cear'a, has successfully powered all lighting, air conditioning and auxiliary systems in a research plant in the area. This development is an important step for onshore wave power generation in Brazil. ANEEL said: "This small generation of power represents a great progress, as the Brazilian coast presents good conditions for energy use, due to its proximity to consumers in cities with high population density." Rio-based COPPE Submarine Technology Laboratory developed and installed the 50 KW prototype, which consists of two modules, each with a floater, branch and pump. Once fixed on break water, these contribute to a single set of turbines, generator and hyperbaric chamber. ANEEL claims the prototype's "easy production" gives it an edge over others available on the market. An additional advantage of this technology is the potential for coupling it with desalinisation systems, ANEEL said. Desalinisation by reverse osmosis is an efficient way to obtain drinkable water from the sea. The prototype and research plant are part of the "Deployment of Onshore Waves Converter Prototype on Sea Conditions of the Northeast of Brazil" project. Operations and trials for the prototype continue at the plant. The project will continue for 36 months.