Clean, inexhaustible and always available energy: the UG Ocean Grazer project was nominated for the Huibregtsen Prize

Two scientists from the University of Groningen have been nominated for the prestigious Huibregtsen Prize for their research in the Ocean Grazer project in which sustainable energy is extracted and stored from waves.

Harvesting “Infinite Wave Energy”

Professors Antonis Vakis and Payu Jayawardhana will hear on October 4 during the Science and Society Evening at New Kirk in The Hague if they will receive a prize for their research project “Harvesting Infinite Wave Energy with Ocean Grazer”.

The Ocean Grazer, an invention of the University of Groningen scientist Wout Prins, converts the movement of waves into energy and consists of a group of floating buoys, for example around wind turbines.

This is related to the energy storage system on the sea floor, the ocean battery. The wave energy is converted into hydraulic energy, which is stored in the ocean battery. Jayawardhana:, by “releasing” hydraulic energy onto a dynamo, an ocean battery generates electricity, just like a hydroelectric plant. This electricity can be generated when you need it most. “According to the designers, they do not take up extra space, because they can be part of offshore wind farms.

1500 kg battery

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Jayawardhana: On Wednesday in Eemshaven, a prototype of the battery that stores wave energy (Ocean Battery) will be launched in water. This not only stores energy from waves, but is also suitable for solar and wind energy, for example. The construction weighs 1,500 kilograms.

The Ocean Grazer won its first Ben Feringa Impact Award in November 2020.