Harnessing the energy of the high seas

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (WPRI) - Some new ways to gather and store energy are set to make waves on the Massachusetts south-coast; they're being shown off by UMass Dartmouth researchers before they head out on the high seas for testing.

One large orange thing, that moves up and down, kind of looks like the newest piece of exercise equipment to hit the market. But instead, it's a demonstration of a wave energy converter, which would normally sit on a buoy.

Researchers plan to "use it as a wave break device, and instead of just redirecting that energy, you can capture some of it and use it for useful purposes," said the converter's designer, Dan MacDonald.

It's just one of many items on display Friday at the Union Street Waterfront in Fairhaven, in an exhibit organized by the new england marine renewable energy center. Rep. Bill Keating joined other officials and scientists at Friday's event to promote wave energy.

Another setup will use use a turbine -- underwater -- to harness the juice. University of New Hampshire professor Kenneth Baldwin was part of the team working on it.

The turbine and data collecting instruments will be deployed from a barge to test the feasibility of generating energy from the depths of the ocean.

So how much power can be generated by the projects?

"Our goal at this point is more sort of small scale," said MacDonald. "We're thinking more of powering a building or a house, or lights on a dock."

It's not known yet when such turbines might go into everyday operation underwater; the project is still very much in the research phase.