The vast power of the ocean’s waves presents both a vast opportunity to create electricity and the daunting design challenge of creating technology that can withstand the pounding waves and relentless abuse the ocean dishes out 24/7.

The recent sinking of the Oceanlinx wave power platform off Port Kemba, Australia demonstrates what happens when extreme conditions surpass design specs.  The 70 ton, 2.5 megawatt MK3 wave power generator, which had been officially launched in March of this year, was always intended to be a short-lived prototype and transitional design – just not this short lived.  A series of huge swells battered the installation against a breakwater, eventually breaking moorings and setting the platform adrift.  The extreme weather conditions prevented efforts to tow the platform to calmer waters.

Unlike the recent demise of BP’s Deep Water Horizon oil rig, the sunken Oceanlinx wave power generator poses no immediate threat to the environment or local ships.

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