Latest news with #Ifremer
Fox News
5 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Lowering your electric bill could be floating in the ocean
What if the answer to cleaner energy was right out on the waves? A new green energy system is set to change how we capture clean power, and it all starts with the ocean. French startup Seaturns has designed technology that taps into the natural motion of the sea. Their water pendulum turbines are built to last, require little maintenance, and turn rolling waves into electricity. Unlike other renewable options, ocean waves offer a steady, often predictable source of power. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Here's how the water pendulum wave converter works. These large, yellow, floating cylinders pitch back and forth with each passing wave. Inside, the motion causes a column of water to swing like a pendulum, compressing air between two chambers and driving a turbine that generates electricity. This constant back-and-forth movement happens entirely within the hull, protecting components from corrosive saltwater and turbulent seas. Unlike older wave converters that rely on exposed mechanical parts, Seaturns' design is simple, reliable, and self-contained. Backed by organizations such as Bpifrance, Horizon Europe, and marine research institute Ifremer, the project has drawn support from across France's public and private sectors. Seaturns recently completed 18 months of successful offshore testing using a prototype built near Brest, France. Built at quarter-scale, the test demonstrated the system's durability and energy efficiency under harsh marine conditions. This confirms the power-producing concept as a promising alternative to traditional energy technologies. Historically, ocean power projects have struggled due to their complexity, cost, and vulnerability to damage. Seaturns' design addresses these weaknesses head-on. A water pendulum is driven by the horizontal motion of wave surges, allowing it to function efficiently even in shallower waters where wave height is limited. This enables performance in shallower depths, bringing the system closer to shore. Its compact size, modular construction, and simplified deployment process make it attractive for coastal cities, offshore industries, and island communities alike. And unlike wind or solar power, which can fluctuate with weather and daylight, wave converters can generate energy more consistently, though typically at lower output levels, even when skies are cloudy or winds are still. Wave energy offers enormous untapped potential. According to some estimates, global oceans could theoretically produce more than 2 terawatts of renewable electricity using wave technology. That's enough to power a significant portion of national grids, potentially up to a third of the United States' energy demand, if fully harnessed, though real-world output would depend on many local and technical factors. Harnessing even part of Alaska's extensive coastline could significantly reduce fossil fuel reliance in remote communities. Recent academic studies have highlighted the promise of pendulum-based wave energy converters. Their ability to deliver direct mechanical-to-electrical conversion, combined with structural simplicity, makes them a viable path forward for clean ocean power. Speaking of power, want to reduce your energy bills while staying cool? Check out these smart ways to beat the heat at Also, explore the latest innovations in smart thermostat technology for your home Some people point out that wave energy still has its hurdles, like dealing with inconsistent wave patterns and currently lower power output compared to wind or solar farms. Even so, the Seaturns system could be a real breakthrough. Its tough design, simple upkeep, and environmental benefits make it a strong contender for future energy grids. As we keep searching for reliable and sustainable power, wave energy is starting to stand out. Now, the big question is whether creative ideas like water pendulums can help make wave power a key player in the global shift to clean energy. Learn how to save on electricity at home at Would you support the installation of wave energy systems like the Seaturns turbines near your local beach? Tell us why or why not. Let us know by writing us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Sustainability Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Sustainability Times
'Crazy French Invention Turns Waves Into Power': Breakwaters Now Generate Clean Energy Nonstop With This Shocking Coastal Technology
IN A NUTSHELL 🌊 Dikwe is an innovative energy-positive breakwater system designed to harness wave power while protecting coastlines. is an innovative energy-positive breakwater system designed to harness wave power while protecting coastlines. 🤝 Developed through a collaboration between French institutes Ifremer and GEPS Techno , with construction by the UK-based Legendre Group . and , with construction by the UK-based . 🔬 The technology uses a flap mechanism that converts wave motion into electricity, integrating energy generation into traditional coastal defenses. 🌍 Dikwe represents a sustainable approach to renewable energy, potentially influencing global energy strategies by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The pursuit of renewable energy has taken a significant leap forward with the advent of a groundbreaking project in northern France. A novel energy-positive breakwater system, known as Dikwe, has been introduced to harness the power of ocean waves while simultaneously protecting coastlines. This innovative effort is the result of a collaboration between French institutes Ifremer and GEPS Techno, with the UK-based Legendre Group overseeing construction. As the world seeks sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, projects like Dikwe offer a glimpse into the future of energy generation, tapping into the consistent and formidable power of the ocean. The Ingenious Design of Dikwe Dikwe represents a revolutionary approach to traditional coastal defenses. Historically, breakwaters have served a singular purpose: to shield coastlines and harbor vessels from the relentless force of the sea. However, Dikwe transforms this concept by incorporating an energy-generating mechanism within the breakwater structure. This system utilizes a flap that moves with incoming waves, converting kinetic energy into electricity through an energy capture device. Such a dual-purpose approach not only strengthens coastal protections but also contributes to renewable energy production, making Dikwe an energy-positive solution. The concept was originated at Ifremer, the French institute for marine research, and has been meticulously developed over a decade. By integrating an energy generation system into a pre-existing coastal defense structure, Dikwe offers a sustainable and efficient solution to modern energy challenges. 'Still at 99.8%': Revolutionary Zinc-Iodine Battery Holds Nearly Full Capacity After 500 Brutal Charge Cycles From Prototype to Full-Scale Demonstration The journey of Dikwe from concept to reality is a testament to the collaborative efforts of innovators and researchers. In 2012, GEPS Techno collaborated with Ifremer, leveraging its marine research expertise to create a device that harmonizes with marine environments. Initial tests were conducted with a 1/15th scale prototype at Ifremer's Deep Wave test facility in Brest. The project gradually scaled up, with a 1/4th scale prototype measuring nearly 15 feet tested in July 2022. These trials were instrumental in refining the technology and confirming its viability for full-scale deployment. Following successful tests, the Legendre Group joined forces with GEPS Techno to form Wave-Op, a joint venture focused on utilizing port infrastructure for energy generation. The efforts culminated in the construction of a full-scale technology demonstrator in Boulogne-sur-Mer, marking a new era in energy-producing port infrastructure. 'Meta Goes Underground': Tech Giant Joins U.S. Startup to Build 150-Megawatt Geothermal Powerhouse Deep Below Earth Implications for Renewable Energy and Coastal Protection Dikwe stands as a beacon of hope in the quest for sustainable energy solutions. By transforming the way we view and utilize coastal defenses, this technology promises substantial environmental benefits. The integration of energy generation capabilities into breakwater systems not only offers a consistent energy source but also reduces reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, the protection of coastlines from erosion and tidal impacts ensures the preservation of vital ecosystems and infrastructure. The success of the Dikwe project could pave the way for similar innovations worldwide. As sea levels rise and climate change intensifies, the need for robust coastal defenses becomes more urgent. By adopting technologies like Dikwe, communities can bolster their resilience while contributing to a cleaner energy future. '1,800 Horsepower Unleashed': Bugatti Tourbillon's V16 Engine Screams to 9,000 RPM in Unprecedented Hypercar Debut The Future of Wave Energy Generation As we look to the future, the potential of wave energy generation is both exciting and promising. Projects like Dikwe underscore the feasibility of harnessing the ocean's power in a sustainable and environmentally conscious manner. With advancements in technology and increased investments in renewable energy, wave energy systems could become a cornerstone of the global energy landscape. The successful deployment of Dikwe is just the beginning. As more coastal regions explore the possibilities of wave energy, the global energy paradigm may shift significantly. The question remains: how will the world embrace and integrate these innovative solutions to secure a sustainable future? As Dikwe continues to make waves in the renewable energy sector, the world watches keenly. Could this innovative approach to wave energy generation signal the dawn of a new era in sustainable energy solutions? The answer, perhaps, lies in the continued exploration and adoption of such groundbreaking technologies. Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (27)
The Star
13-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Farmed production of some fish like Tilapia - and seaweed
Since 2022, the farming of aquatic animals has been steadily overtaking fishing around the world -- but with large disparities from species to species. — AFP The amount of farmed seafood we consume – as opposed to that taken wild from our waters – is soaring every year, making aquaculture an ever-more important source for many diets, and a response to overfishing. According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, nearly 99 million tonnes of aquatic animals (fish, molluscs like oysters and mussels and crustaceans like prawns) were farmed around the world in 2023, five times more than three decades ago. Since 2022, the farming of aquatic animals has been steadily overtaking fishing around the world – but with large disparities from species to species. Fast-growing species The two biggest sellers on the market in 2023, carp and tilapia, mainly came from freshwater farming, while other widely-consumed fish, like herring, came just from deep sea fishing. Thierry Laugier, a researcher at Ifremer, France's national institute for ocean science and technology, told AFP that fish farmers choose species that grow quickly and with simple requirements, to be able to control the life cycle. Sales of the most widely farmed fish in Europe, Atlantic salmon, came to 1.9 million tonnes in 2023, 99 percent of which were farmed. "We know how to control the ageing or how to launch a reproduction cycle, through injecting hormones," Laugier said. Asia main producer Asia is by far the biggest producer of farmed fish, accounting for 92 percent of the 136 million tonnes – of both animal and plant species – produced under manmade conditions in 2023. "For carp, it comes down to tradition, it has been farmed for thousands of years on the Asian continent," the Ifremer researcher said. At the other end of the spectrum, sardines and herring are just fished in the oceans, mainly for profitability reasons as some fish grow very slowly. "It takes around two years to get an adult-sized sardine," Laugier said. He said farming of some fish has not yet been started as, "for a long time, we thought the ocean was an inexhaustible resource". Seaweed Little known in the West, seaweed nevertheless accounts for almost a third of world aquaculture production. Almost exclusively from Asia, seaweed production increased by nearly 200 percent in two decades, to 38 million tonnes. It is mainly used in industry, in jellies, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, the expert said. He said seaweed also has the major advantage of absorbing not just CO2 in the oceans, but also nitrogen and certain pollutants. "And from an ecological point of view it is better to farm macroalgae than salmon," Laugier said. – AFP
Time of India
09-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Farmed production of some fish - and seaweed
Asia leads global farmed fish production (Image credit: AFP) The amount of farmed seafood we consume -- as opposed to that taken wild from our waters -- is soaring every year, making aquaculture an ever-more important source for many diets, and a response to overfishing. According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, nearly 99 million tonnes of aquatic animals (fish, molluscs like oysters and mussels and crustaceans like prawns) were farmed around the world in 2023, five times more than three decades ago. Since 2022, the farming of aquatic animals has been steadily overtaking fishing around the world -- but with large disparities from species to species. Fast-growing species: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Windows Users Don't Forget To Do This Before Monday Read More Undo The two biggest sellers on the market in 2023, carp and tilapia, mainly came from freshwater farming, while other widely-consumed fish, like herring, came just from deep sea fishing Thierry Laugier, a researcher at Ifremer, France's national institute for ocean science and technology, told AFP that fish farmers choose species that grow quickly and with simple requirements, to be able to control the life cycle. Sales of the most widely farmed fish in Europe, Atlantic salmon, came to 1.9 million tonnes in 2023, 99 per cent of which were farmed. "We know how to control the ageing or how to launch a reproduction cycle, through injecting hormones," Laugier said. Asia main producer: Asia is by far the biggest producer of farmed fish, accounting for 92 per cent of the 136 million tonnes -- of both animal and plant species -- produced under manmade conditions in 2023. "For carp, it comes down to tradition, it has been farmed for thousands of years on the Asian continent," the Ifremer researcher said. At the other end of the spectrum, sardines and herring are just fished in the oceans, mainly for profitability reasons as some fish grow very slowly. "It takes around two years to get an adult-sized sardine," Laugier said. He said farming of some fish has not yet been started as, "for a long time, we thought the ocean was an inexhaustible resource". Seaweed: Little known in the West, seaweed nevertheless accounts for almost a third of world aquaculture production. Almost exclusively from Asia, seaweed production increased by nearly 200 percent in two decades, to 38 million tonnes. It is mainly used in industry, in jellies, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, the expert said. He said seaweed also has the major advantage of absorbing not just CO2 in the oceans, but also nitrogen and certain pollutants. "And from an ecological point of view it is better to farm macroalgae than salmon," Laugier said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-06-2025
- Science
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Farmed Production of Some Fish - and Seaweed
The amount of farmed seafood we consume -- as opposed to that taken wild from our waters -- is soaring every year, making aquaculture an ever-more important source for many diets, and a response to overfishing. According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, nearly 99 million tons of aquatic animals (fish, molluscs like oysters and mussels and crustaceans like prawns) were farmed around the world in 2023, five times more than three decades ago. Since 2022, the farming of aquatic animals has been steadily overtaking fishing around the world -- but with large disparities from species to species. Fast-growing species The two biggest sellers on the market in 2023, carp and tilapia, mainly came from freshwater farming, while other widely-consumed fish, like herring, came just from deep sea fishing Thierry Laugier, a researcher at Ifremer, France's national institute for ocean science and technology, told AFP that fish farmers choose species that grow quickly and with simple requirements, to be able to control the life cycle. Sales of the most widely farmed fish in Europe, Atlantic salmon, came to 1.9 million tons in 2023, 99 percent of which were farmed. "We know how to control the ageing or how to launch a reproduction cycle, through injecting hormones," Laugier said. Asia main producer Asia is by far the biggest producer of farmed fish, accounting for 92 percent of the 136 million tons -- of both animal and plant species -- produced under manmade conditions in 2023. "For carp, it comes down to tradition, it has been farmed for thousands of years on the Asian continent," the Ifremer researcher said. At the other end of the spectrum, sardines and herring are just fished in the oceans, mainly for profitability reasons as some fish grow very slowly. "It takes around two years to get an adult-sized sardine," Laugier said. He said farming of some fish has not yet been started as, "for a long time, we thought the ocean was an inexhaustible resource". Seaweed Little known in the West, seaweed nevertheless accounts for almost a third of world aquaculture production. Almost exclusively from Asia, seaweed production increased by nearly 200 percent in two decades, to 38 million tons. It is mainly used in industry, in jellies, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, the expert said. He said seaweed also has the major advantage of absorbing not just CO2 in the oceans, but also nitrogen and certain pollutants. "And from an ecological point of view it is better to farm macroalgae than salmon," Laugier said.
