2008 CleanTECH Venture Roundtable Finalist

Ocean wave energy has enormous promise in its enabling technology in that it does not consume resources, it is pollution free, does not harm the environment and ocean energy farms can be located where they do not significantly affect land or ocean use. Ocean wave energy is far more regular than most wind energy sites and power output is able to be planned in advance. Its greater promise is in coastal waters like San Diego for renewable energy production.

Scientific Applications & Research Associates, (SARA) Inc. has successfully developed and patented an energy conversion system for use in converting the irregular energy in ocean waves to electrical power using a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator. This ocean wave to electricity conversion system is based on direct pumping. By using magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) to directly convert the wave action to electricity, it eliminates the need for complex intermediate subsystems such as: accumulators, hydraulics, and rotating generators. The results are higher overall efficiency, lower costs and increased reliability.

SARA has been converting complex concepts to reality for nearly 20 years. Visit www.sara.com for more details. Customers include: DARPA, USAF, US Navy, US Army, Homeland Security, NIJ, Department of Energy, NASA, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, SAIC. SARA sells MHD generators to energy companies who install them in at-sea plants for utility companies.