Hydrokinetic technologies produce renewable electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of a body of water, the energy that results from its motion. Nearshore and offshore waves are considered to have the greatest potential for energy production. Harnessing just a portion (15%-25%) of the incident wave energy along the coastlines of the United States could produce as much energy as the entire U.S. hydropower system. The Electric Power Research Institute estimates that the total recoverable wave energy resource along the U.S. coast is equal to about one third of the electricity used in the United States each year. The strongest wave energy resource in the lower 48 states is in Oregon and Washington; the recoverable wave energy resource along the U.S. West Coast is estimated at 250 terawatt-hours per year.

According to the US Department of Energy, marine and hydrokinetic technologies “hold significant promise for adding to our nation’s renewable energy portfolio.” One significant advantage of wave energy is that energy production can be more reliably predicted than with some other renewable sources. Wind and solar can present challenges when added in large amounts to the electric grid because generation varies with fluctuations in wind speed and sunlight availability. In contrast, waves originate with wind blowing hundreds or thousands of miles from the coast, allowing wave propagation (and resultant energy generation) to be modeled and forecast a number of days in advance.

In recognition of the potential for wave energy development, the University of Oregon, U.S. Department of Energy, and other partners are building PacWave, a wave energy test facility off the Oregon coast, between Newport and Waldport. PacWave will serve as a grid-connected test facility to test and support development of wave energy conversion technology.

Hydrad Technology is working to harness this energy using a patented wave attenuator to produce reliable, renewable energy. The wave attenuator is the first ocean-wave capable system that absorbs energy from broad wave faces (100-600 meters wide). When compared to other wave energy converters today (a few meters wide), these devices can capture and convert far more energy.

A good description of drinking water scarcity in the world from Borgen Magazine:

“It has been recognized that poor economic management and inadequate infrastructure to harness one of the most abundant resources on the earth has plunged the world into a situation of perpetual water scarcity. As it stands, approximately 750 million people around the world do not have access to clean water.

This situation prompted world leaders to develop the sixth Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) which seeks to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

At the 2016 World Water day, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called for bold action to address water inequality. Highlighted are some of the bold, innovative clean water solutions that organizations are developing in order to ensure the sixth SDG is met.”

“Approximately 99 percent of the water on earth is not drinkable. Desalination is the solution to purifying sea water or salt water for human consumption.

Uptake of the technology has largely been limited by the high costs of the desalination process. However, arid countries are finding that it is a necessary solution.

According to the International Desalination Association, the largest desalination plant in the world in Saudi Arabia produces 273 million gallons of drinking water per day while in Israel, a quarter of the nation’s water supply is generated from desalination.”

Wave energy can also be converted into pressure. Water pressure is the primary energy expense in a reverse osmosis desalination plant. The Hydrad Wave Attenuator platform can be used to leverage wave energy for clean drinking water. This is particularly interesting in remote locations of the world that have limited energy and water available.

The Hydrad Wave Attenuator Platform is not just capable of one solution. One Hydrad Wave Attenuator can solve multiple challenges. Imagine protecting a harbor entrance while generating electricity for the local community. Imagine reducing erosion rates along a sandy beach and producing drinking water. And throw in some economic growth through healthy outdoor recreation (surfing).

Independently, these solutions are economically viable (and will most likely be tested separately). But together, they share costs, improve project perception, and “kill two [or more] birds with one stone”.