Brazil has long since stopped trusting in its subsoil resources for energy production. Now the carioca country has set its sight on the surface, specifically that of the sea.

Thus, the Brazilian National Electrical Energy Agency (ANEEL) has developed a prototype that enables electrical energy to be generated thanks to the movement of the waves. As ensured by ANEEL, this implies “great progress” given that the coast of Brazil “is well suited to use the energy, given the proximity of consumers in cities with high population density”.

The project, which is being executed in the coast of Porto do Pecén, in the state of Ceará, uses gigantic floats that utilize the unceasing sway of the ocean. Each prototype module is made of buoys measuring over 10 meters in diameter, which pick up the movement of the sea, that are connected to mechanical arms measuring 22 meters. These connect to a hydraulic pumping system, located on dry land, and that is where the transformation of kinetic energy into electric energy takes place.

Despite how innovative the idea is, the system still seems vulnerable to extreme climatic conditions such as storms or hurricanes. Also, its energy production levels are below those obtained from the wind or sunlight, making the waves and option to continue to develop but not an actual alternative, at least not for now.  

In this way, Brazil continues to bet on renewable energies, which currently make up 45% of the energy used in the country.