Hong Kong Financial Time
Non-fuel electricity generation is the irresistible trend of future power. A new research
on wave-powered dynamo has been carried out by Hong Kong University recently.
The foam plastic spheres were uses pass on the momentum of waves, which later on
transform into electricity that supply to every household. It is expected to cut the cost
of each watt-hour.
This new research on green power became the current focus of the Mechanical
Engineering faculty of the Hong Kong University. A Hong Kong residing French
inventor - Lucien Gambarota originated the inspiration of wave power. It all began
when Gambarota was working on another project off shore; his realization of wave
force has brought him the inspiration and conceived the idea of wave-powered
dynamo.
The SAR government’s promote investment agency – Invest Hong Kong has been
introduced to Gambarota’s wave-powered dynamo, as a result, the Hong Kong
University and Gambarota formed an annexation in order to take the project to a
greater depth.
Gambarota claimed the power that transformed by the wave momentum should
produce enough energy to pump and collect water for hydroelectric turbine.
Lower cost than Wind energy
Gambarota gave an example of the possible cost for wave-powered dynamo – enough
for 20% of Hong Kong electricity. To create a 10 square miles of floating foam
spheres along the bank of Po Toi would take one thousand sets of 1,000 feet long
floating spheres. Each set of floating spheres would cost approximately hundred
thousand US Dollars (approx.780 thousand HKD). The whole section estimated cost
of 780 millions Hong Kong Dollars.
He emphasized the cost is still far lower than wind energy and land for windmills are
not an easy option for Hong Kong. Many outskirt islands such as Wang Lan Island
and Po Toi Island are low in population, therefore are most suitable for develop wavepowered dynamo. Moreover, there would be unlimited supply for natural waves. He
estimated there would be a price drop for 0.1 to 0.2 dollar per kilowatt-hour when
wave-powered dynamo in use.
Recently, CLP announced the proposal for building mass hydroelectric turbines. An
estimation price of 1.5 dollar per kilowatt-hour has been reported. That could mean a
price rise of 90% - despite the current charge is 0.87 dollar per kilowatt-hour.
Leung Kwok Hey, an assistant professor from Mechanical Engineering faculty of the
Hong Kong University also a participant of the wave-power project said it is an early
stage to give comment on electricity prices. He emphasized that the final cost of the
project and electricity price would all depends on the scale and effectiveness of the
design. He also said that the potential in developing wave power in Hong Kong is
much greater than in wind energy.
Two of CLP Research Institute members attended a Hong Kong University lecture on
the technique of wave-powered dynamo. Nang Chi Cheung, the Innovation architect
of CLP, claimed that CLP pays closed attention to the latest news of any technology
on renewable resources. He also stated that other then wind energy, Hong Kong is
restricted with hydro power due to the city having no major rivers and still observing
the technique of the wave power.