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The Oyster is a new wave energy generator located offshore of Scotland, and according to its manufacturer, is the only ocean hydro electric unit that is producing energy. Renewable energy from wave power became a bit more popular when the Oyster hydro electric unit began generating power to Scotland’s electrical grid only recently.

Aquamarine Power triggered their connection of the Oyster wave power unit just offshore of Orkney, Scotland, and it is now a benchmark for ocean power procedures that currently generate electricity.

The Oyster is basically a hydraulic pump that works using a hinged flap, and a big iron component that shifts to and fro based on the wave action. As this component goes back and forth, it triggers a hydraulic piston, which then draws water below ground into a hydro electric turbine that powers a generator producing electricity.

The maximum amount of power capacity produced from the Oyster 1 device is approximately 2 MW, this figure is based on where it is located. Aquamarine Power had their research financed for this project courtesy of the UK government and is currently researching and working on the next version of the Oyster unit.

Presently, there are numerous technologies which are being researched that will utilize the energy from waves or tidal surges, which can produce electrical power, these include below water generating systems. The benefit of using a pump engineered device comes with the simplicity of its plan and the many components like the gearboxes and generators, which do not come in contact with the water.

Right now there are 20 Oysters that are connected to the ocean bottom. In about 35 feet of water, and these are able to generate enough electricity to power up to 9000 UK residences, this number comes from the manufacturer Aquamarine Power.

There is a similar device known as the sea dog pump out of the United States, which uses a similar method of pumping water from offshore to hydro electric turbines located nearby that will generate the electricity.

Initial testing for the Oyster was completed at the European Marine Energy Center. In the United States there is currently a call out to set up a similar ocean power research facility in the south part of Massachusetts.

The vast coastal regions of the United States and what with the UK being an island, it only makes good sense to further investigate and research the incredible potential of the energy that could be generated by the offshore ocean waters. Both the United Kingdom and the United States are committed to reaching alternative energy solutions for their respective populations. As both countries continue to depend on carbon producing fossil fuels to generate their electric needs, new renewable sources of energy will become more important.