TECH

The machine that transforms ocean waves into clean energy and could revolutionize the future

A European company has developed a compact generator that converts wave motion into electricity with twice the efficiency of traditional models. Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, the system promises clean, cheap, and resilient energy, even in the most extreme ocean conditions.

While the sun and wind already occupy a central space in the energy transition, the oceans remain an unexplored giant. Each wave carries enough energy to power entire cities, but transforming it into electricity has always been a challenge due to corrosion, storms, and technical complexity. Now, the Dutch company Wave Energy Company (WECO) believes it has found the answer: the Kaizen WEC, a modular converter that combines simplicity, efficiency, and resistance.

The name is no coincidence. "Kaizen" means continuous improvement in Japanese, reflecting WECO's strategy: perfecting every detail instead of reinventing the technology. Formed by engineers specialized in offshore environments, the company focused its efforts on reducing the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), a metric that defines the real price of electricity during the lifespan of a generator.

Instead of pursuing a disruptive and complex technological leap, WECO focused on optimizing each subsystem of a known project. Its goal is clear: to drastically reduce the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE).

This term defines the real cost of electricity produced by a generator throughout its entire lifespan, including manufacturing, installation, operation, and maintenance. For wave energy to be viable, its levelized cost of energy (LCOE) must be competitive with that of offshore wind energy, and this company has been working on that for years.

The goal is clear: to make wave energy competitive with offshore wind power by the end of the decade.

Unlike other systems, which only take advantage of the vertical movement of waves, Kaizen uses the horizontal thrust of the sea. This movement is transformed into rotation by means of belts connected to a floating structure fixed to the ocean floor.

The heart of the system is the PTO (Power Take-Off), which converts mechanical energy into electricity. It eliminates gears and hydraulic fluids, major sources of failure in previous designs. The result is a lighter, quieter, and easier-to-maintain piece of equipment, capable of withstanding saltwater without the risk of polluting leaks.

Artificial intelligence to tame the ocean...The device also features an intelligent control system. Sensors and machine learning algorithms predict wave behavior seconds before it happens. Thus, they adjust the generator's resistance in real time, ensuring maximum energy efficiency.

In extreme conditions, such as waves over 15 meters, the equipment enters survival mode: instead of resisting, it follows the movement of the water, reducing stress and preventing structural damage.

After undergoing simulations in laboratories and test tanks, the Kaizen WEC was installed in Scheveningen, Netherlands. Assembly took only 32 minutes — a record in the sector. Each module generates around 5 kW, but its great advantage lies in its scalability: several devices can be connected to supply coastal communities, aquaculture platforms, or replace diesel generators on isolated islands.

In addition to electricity, the technology can directly power reverse osmosis desalination plants, providing potable water in arid regions. Its robustness and low maintenance requirements make it ideal for hard-to-reach locations without permanent teams.

WECO estimates achieving costs below €0.10 per kWh by 2030, which would put wave energy on par with floating offshore wind.

The ocean as an energy ally...The sea covers more than 70% of the planet and never stops moving. If initiatives like WECO's prosper, wave energy could become the perfect complement to solar and wind, bringing stability to grids and energy independence to entire communities.

The Kaizen WEC shows that the future may lie in learning from the sea, not resisting it.

mundophone