La Réunion inventors develop wave-powered desalination technology

Inventors in La Réunion have developed a patented technology designed to simultaneously produce fresh water and electricity by harnessing wave energy. The system utilizes the hydraulic principle of the ‘water hammer’ effect to convert ocean swells into high-pressure water.

Unlike traditional wave energy converters that prioritize electricity production, this innovation uses the pressure generated by waves to directly power reverse osmosis desalination membranes. By using an submerged conduit to accelerate and then abruptly decelerate incoming waves, the system creates the extreme pressure required for desalination without the need for energy-intensive high-pressure pumps.

Projections suggest the technology could produce up to 20,000 cubic meters of potable water per day within a 200-square-meter area. Residual water pressure can then be directed through a turbine to generate up to 2 megawatts of green energy, which could power local infrastructure or produce hydrogen. The project is currently entering a pre-industrialization phase, with the team seeking funding and industrial partners to move from scale models to a large-scale demonstrator.