Oceanlinx Limited

Originally known as Energetech, Oceanlinx has since become a leading international company in the field of wave energy. For more than 15years we have developed, deployed and operated 3 prototypes of our technology in the open ocean. Our technology can produce electricity from ocean waves, alongside an energy saving system to produce desalinated seawater and can provide coastal protection from sea erosion.

As the most established wave energy developer in Australia, we have installed over 750KW of prototype wave energy converters, generating over 40,000 hours of operating experience and 5,000 hours of electricity generation.

We are now moving into commercial projects based in Australia and across the globe.

Ocean waves contain enormous quantities of energy and harnessing this energy in the most efficient and productive way is the objective of the Oceanlinx technology.

At the heart of the technology there are 3 simple elements:

01. Oscillating Water Column
Oscillating Water Columns (OWCs) are simple constructions that act like a piston and cylinder. As waves rise within the OWC, it replicates the action of a piston, driving a column of air ahead of it and through the turbine.
02. airWAVE - Bidirectional Reaction Turbine
Most turbines are designed to function with a constant flow in a single direction. Our patented airWAVE turbine can continue to generate electricity regardless of a change of direction under varying flow conditions.
03. Generator and Transmission System
The system will be matched to the airWAVE turbine based on the available wave resource. The rated capacity of the generator will vary to best match the environment conditions at the installed location.

As waves pass the OWC, the water column is constantly moving up and down. As this happens, the air is compressed and is driven through the turbine under pressure, which in turn generates electricity (see Figure 01). As the wave recedes the opposite effect is experienced and air is sucked back into the OWC through the turbine, continuing the electricity generation (see Figure 02).

To make the energy extraction effective, the cross sectional area of the OWC is narrowed as it approaches the turbine. This serves to accelerate the air so that it reaches its optimum velocity and pressure as it passes the turbine.

Oceanlinx has developed several variants of the OWC concept. These devices use the same fundamental principles of the OWC, airWAVE turbine and the same generator and control systems.