The first commercial wave powered electricity could be used in the waters surrounding Bermuda in a first for new technology known as CETO.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by Renewable Energy Holdings Plc and Triton Renewable Energy Ltd to develop, build and operate the wave farms. The first stage will involve a joint venture partnership to allow Triton to use the CETO technology with an initial test site of 2 MW being developed pending regulatory approvals being met. Following that, if the testing meets expectations, a 20MW wave powered facility will be constructed.

CETO technology involves attaching submerged buoys to seabed pump units. The buoys move in time with the ocean and as they do the pumps deliver sea water at pressure ashore via a pipeline. The water under pressure then drives hydro turbines which generates the electricity.

Artists impression CETO Wave Farm

The planned prject is expected to be cost-effective in Bermuda because of the high cost of importing fuel oil to the island. In comparison, a locally produced, emission-free source of electricity is highly desirable.

The objective is to have the initial 2MW test project in place within 18-24 months and once it has passed environmental impact assessments and has been proven, it is relatively easy to scale it up to 20MW.

Aesthetic concern is not an issue because the devices will be located far enough out to sea to be out of sight, submerged under the water. The size of the buoys are around 20 feet tall.

Diagram of how a CETO Wave Farm works

The above diagram comes from the CETO website, where you will find animation of the process in action.