Solar energy is well and truly the leader among the renewable energy resources and there is absolutely no denying that fact. Wind energy seems to have received a breath of new life with modern wind turbines that are designed to be more ergonomic and well-suited for city lifestyle. But with 75% of the planet being covered with water, Wave and Tidal energy have never really taken off. But the world’s first wave power farm off the shore of Portugal could change all that very soon.

This farm currently has three wave energy converters which are semi submerged snake like devices and are called PelamisWave. These 140 meter long and snake like structures will act like channelizing tubes to drive turbines and produce energy. The current farm can generate 2.25 MW of energy and the final farm will add an additional 25 machines which will raise that number to 21 MW. That would be energy sufficient to power up to 1500 normal homes!

The PelamisWave is a very unique structure that produces energy by tapping into the movement of the waves without really harming marine life in the vicinity. The new device is also said to be a lot more resistant to saline water and durable in the violent waves. Its true test though starts now.

Via: Solarenergydream