La Buenos Aires Province has completed the first test of the wave energy device which promises to harness the movement of the waves to produce electricity on the Argentine Atlantic coast. This is a significant step in the commitment to new renewable sources, in a context where the diversification of the energy matrix is gaining increasing importance.
How the wave energy device works and what was tested in Pilar
The heart of this development is a system based on large floating buoys that rise and fall with the waves. This vertical displacement is transmitted by a mechanical arm to a chain of gears that transforms the reciprocating motion into high-speed rotation, enough to power an electric generator connected to the grid.
The first verification was carried out in the town of Pilar, at the Duroll metalworking plantwhere a test called “dry run” was carried out. Instead of waves, controlled loads were applied to the arm and the buoy to simulate the forces that waves will exert. In this way, it was possible to measure how the structure responded without yet needing to move the equipment to the coast. This methodology is similar to initiatives that promote testbeds for marine energy, such as the use of port infrastructure for testing.
During the test, the mechanism was subjected to a load of 1,5 tonsThis is equivalent to twice the stress expected under normal operating conditions. This overload was designed to ensure a wide safety margin, verifying that both the supporting structure and the moving components could operate with clearance and without critical deformation.
According to the technicians involved, the The test results were satisfactory. They also validated the device's structural design. The information obtained will be used to adjust manufacturing details, component dimensions, and maintenance plans before final assembly at the port of Mar del Plata.
Despite being supported by a complex industrial system, its operation is based on a relatively simple logic: The kinetic energy of the waves is converted into mechanical energy and, finally, into electricity usable. The key is to optimize each of these stages so that losses are minimal and the installation is competitive against other renewable sources.
University design and projected generation capacity
The prototype was designed by engineering teams from the National Technological University (UTN), primarily from the Buenos Aires Regional Office, with participation also from the Pacheco Regional Office in the design development. The project is led by the researcher Alejandro Haim and is considered one of the first national developments specifically focused on wave energy.
According to technical estimates, Each unit could generate between 30 and 200 kilowatts of powerThis range depends on parameters such as the size of the buoy, the configuration of the mechanical arm, and, above all, the wave characteristics in the area where it operates. This range allows for relatively small prototypes for initial testing and larger equipment if the system is scaled up to commercial installations.
The planned structures can reach diameters of between three and ten meters and weights ranging approximately from two to twenty tons, depending on the version and installation location. Furthermore, the design has been conceived to be able to anchor to existing maritime infrastructure, such as breakwaters, docks or offshore platforms, which opens the door to taking advantage of existing structures without the need to build new supports from scratch.
This modular approach also allows us to envision, in the medium term, sets of several devices working in a coordinated manner in the same coastal area. If open-sea tests confirm expectations, it would be possible to configure "wave energy farms" composed of multiple buoys, adding their contributions to achieve significant power within the regional electrical system.
Those in charge of the project emphasize that the intention is not to compete directly with wind or solar energy, but provide a complementary source with a different generation profileThis complementarity could prove useful in managing demand and reducing dependence on fossil resources in the province.
Installation in Mar del Plata and institutional support
Following the success of the dry test, the next step is to move the device to the North Breakwater of the Port of Mar del Platawhere the first operational unit will be installed. This location was chosen for its combination of good wave conditions, presence of port infrastructure and strategic relevance of the city within the energy and logistics system of the region.
The initiative is driven by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Services of the Province of Buenos AiresThrough the Undersecretariat of Energy, in coordination with the National Technological University (UTN) and companies in the metalworking sector. For the provincial government, the project represents a milestone. to link the State, the scientific system and the private sector around the same technological agenda.
On the economic front, the device has a financing of $138.000 earmarked for research, development, and construction of the prototype. These funds come from Provincial Program of Incentives for the Generation of Renewable Distributed Energy (PROINGED), jointly administered by the Undersecretariat of Energy and FREBA.
PROINGED is nourished by renewable tariff aggregate that users pay monthly on their electricity bills within the Province of Buenos Aires. Part of those resources is channeled towards pilot projects like this one, with the idea of promoting technologies that, in the future, can be integrated into the system on a more massive scale.
In addition to the contribution from PROINGED, the initiative has the support of Scientific Research Commission (CIC) through resources of Buenos Aires Technological Innovation Fund (FITBA)This co-financing scheme seeks to reduce the risk associated with pioneering technological projects, allowing universities and companies to get involved with greater flexibility.
Why wave energy is gaining interest in the South Atlantic
Wave energy is considered one of the renewable energy sources with the greatest potential In regions with strong ocean dynamics, such as the South Atlantic, the sea exhibits constant and relatively regular movement, a characteristic that fits well with the planning needs of modern electrical systems.
Compared to established technologies like solar or wind power, The main advantage of wave energy is its greater predictabilityWhile wind and solar radiation can vary abruptly due to weather changes, wave behavior tends to be more stable and can be modeled in advance, which helps to schedule generation and better manage the grid.
In practice, this translates into the possibility of to provide a more stable generation over timereducing extreme peaks and valleys and complementing other variable renewables. For an electricity system in transition, this relative stability can become an important factor in reducing the need for backup power from fossil fuels.
The project managers also emphasize that the technology has been designed with the intention of minimize the impact on existing coastal infrastructureBy being able to be integrated into breakwaters and structures already built, additional occupation of the coastline is avoided and the volume of civil works necessary for its deployment is reduced.
If the tests in Mar del Plata are successful, it would open the door to replicate the scheme in other points of the Buenos Aires coast and the Atlantic regionThis is generating a new line of marine renewable energy projects. In the medium term, this could complement the wind and solar photovoltaic development already underway in various provinces.
Expected impact on the energy matrix and the productive fabric
The provincial government insists that the wave energy device is part of a broader strategy to diversify the energy mix with clean, locally sourced technologies. It's not just about generating additional kilowatts, but about promoting an innovation ecosystem that includes universities, research centers, and industrial companies.
The project has already allowed Strengthening the relationship between the UTN, the provincial government, and the private sectorThis creates an environment where applied research and domestic production go hand in hand. For the Buenos Aires metalworking industry, it also represents an opportunity to specialize in solutions related to marine energy.
In social terms, proponents argue that advancing these types of developments can to improve the quality of life of the population in the medium and long termBy contributing to a more sustainable electricity supply and less exposure to the volatility of fossil fuel prices, the incorporation of diverse renewable sources is seen as a way to build resilience against energy crises.
The commitment to wave energy is also part of the intention that the Buenos Aires Province positions itself as a regional leader in innovation and sustainabilityGetting a national prototype working under real conditions in the Atlantic could put the region on the map of emerging marine energies and open up new opportunities for international cooperation.
Although it is still in an initial phase, the steps taken so far show that There is a concrete path to transforming the Atlantic waves into a new source of energy for Argentina. With the device ready to be tested at sea, the project enters a decisive stage in which both the technology and the institutional and productive capacity to sustain its development will be put to the test.
