"Spain Expands Renewables With Wave-Powered Electricity Plant" By:Sydney Magnall

      Waves are constantly crashing on the shores of the beach in Mutriku on Spain's northern coast. Would you ever think that while your walking around on the beach there are scientists below you using the waves for energy? Well, that is just what is going on! Scientists such as  Gloria Etxebarria are working on this electricity plant. "The government decided to build a breakwater to protect the harbor of Mutriku. And so making use of that decision, we decided to put there our wave energy plant," Etxebarria says." Inside the room where they generate the electricity are 16 turbines that spin when waves roll in. They use something called OWC — oscillating water columns to help generate the electricity. "We have some chambers, and when the wave arrives, it pushes — the wave pushes, compresses the air inside the chambers. So the air goes through a turbine and drives it, which in turn drives an alternator, so producing electricity," Etxebarria says". Another thing about these turbines is that the salt water, which could ruin the turbines, doesn't actually touch the turbines, just air pushed by the waves!

     I think this is really amazing who would of thought that this was possible. I think this just shows how technology is continuing to grow. Who would of ever thought that you could use waves to make energy?



http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2012/11/26/165911832/spain-hopes-for-economic-boost-with-wave-powered-electricity-plant