India to harness ocean waves for electricity generation

India is taking an important step toward clean energy innovation by generating electricity from ocean waves, according to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.   “With a vast coastline of 11,098 km spanning nine states and six other union territories, our untapped potential of ocean energy has been estimated at 40,000 MW,” he stated.

As part of this initiative, India has launched its first wave energy pilot project in Mumbai. “This premier city of India is surrounded by sea. India’s state-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation is in charge of this pilot project,” he added. Wave energy generation is still a relatively new concept, experts say. The process involves using floaters placed in the water to harness energy from incoming waves by converting their rising and falling motion into mechanical energy. The movement of these floaters compresses and decompresses hydraulic pistons, which then transmit biodegradable hydraulic fluid into accumulators positioned on land. The pressure generated rotates a hydraulic motor, which in turn drives a generator to produce electricity. This energy is then transferred to the power grid via an inverter, they explained.

Swedish wave energy developer Eco Wave Power is poised to sign a collaboration agreement with a Fortune 500 Indian company to establish the first wave energy pilot project in Maharashtra, according to Offshore Energy. During the signing ceremony in New Delhi, Eco Wave Power will also demonstrate its wave energy generation model, showcasing how its patented onshore technology captures ocean wave energy to produce electricity, the report stated.

The collaboration aims to integrate wave energy into India’s broader renewable energy strategy. “With a coastline of 7,516 km and over 250 million people living along the shore, India has a unique opportunity to place wave energy at the forefront of its renewable energy strategy,” said Inna Braverman, Founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power. This initiative aligns with Eco Wave Power’s global expansion efforts, as the company continues to advance its international projects in sustainable energy.