Israeli Startup is Using Cutting-Edge Technology to Harness the Power of Waves
A pilot wave-energy power plant in the port of Jaffa is converting wave motion into electricity.
When people think about renewable energy, things like solar, geothermal , and wind power probably come to mind. But there is another type of renewable that utilizes the energy of water. A Tel Aviv startup, Eco Wave Power, is using cutting edge technology to harness the power of waves of the Mediterranean Sea in Jaffa to create green electricity.
Eco Wave Power’s mission is to help fight climate change by developing commercial power from the waves of the oceans and seas, according to a statement from the company. The Jaffa installation was the company’s second project and a first for Israel.
The Jaffa Project
This pilot program is located at Warehouse 2 in Jaffa Port and launched on December 5, 2024, according to Power Technology. This was the first grid connected – the company owns and operates an electrical grid – wave energy project in Israel.
This launch recognizes Israel’s commitment to sustainable energy. Israel’s president Isaac Herzog told Power Technology that this initiative combines innovation and pioneering in the field of renewable energy.
“Recent years have strengthened the understanding that the transition from polluting energy production to renewable energy sources constitutes a vital national and strategic interest,” Hertzog said.
The recent conflict with Iran that saw the targeting of civilian infrastructure underscores the necessity of diversifying and decentralizing Israel’s energy sources. Wave energy is one way of accomplishing this.
How Does it Work?
The 100 KW-capacity wave power plant in Jaffa converts the motion of the waves using turbines to generate the clean energy. The technology uses floating platforms and unlike other marine energy projects, there is no underwater infrastructure and almost no environmental impact. The platforms utilize hydraulic pumps to convert the wave action into electricity, reported Israel21c.
The ten floaters in Jaffa port produce enough electricity to power 100 homes, but this is just a pilot program. Adding more floaters will increase the amount of electricity produced.
This installation of the technology was a joint project between Eco Wave Power and EDF Renewables Israel which is a subsidiary of the French company EDF. The Jaffa wave power initiative was partially funded by Israel’s Ministry of Energy and was backed by the Tel Aviv-Yaffa municipality.
While 100 homes may not seem like much, it does show that the project is sound and will hopefully be expanded in Jaffa and in other cities along Israel’s coast. Using wave power technology is just one way that Israel is showing its commitment to sustainable development and green energy.
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