SeaRaser

The SeaRaser (also called Sea~Ryser) was a wave power concept developed by Alvin Smith from Devon between 1997 and 2019.

The device concept uses the power of the waves to pump water uphill into shore mounted tanks, where it can then be released through a conventional hydroelectric turbine. It consists of two buoys, one on the sea surface the other below fixed to a weight on the sea bed, with a double-acting vertical piston suspended between them.[1] It works in the same manner as a bicycle pump.[2] The device has a self-adjusting mechanism to cope with the rise and fall of the tide.[1]

A claimed benefit of the technology was that as water is pumped uphill and stored in tanks, it can then be used when required, and not be at the mercy of the waves.[3] It also does not have any electrical components offshore, and is lubricated purely by seawater, maintenance of the buoy was claimed to be similar to navigation buoys, lifting out of the water for cleaning once a year.[4]

Smith also envisaged the device could be used to pump water onshore for desalination and irrigation in dry countries.[5]

  1. ^ a b "Making waves work: the Searaser hydro-power system". New Atlas. 27 November 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  2. ^ "Plans for sea energy device Searaser". BBC News. 23 January 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Ford, Jason (18 June 2010). "Searaser device promises". The Engineer. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).