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This Underwater Buoy Could Power Homes By Capturing The Ocean's Power

Scottish startup AWS Ocean has built a prototype device that is crushing expectations.

Andy Altman Director of Video Production
Andy Altman is a producer covering all things science and tech. He led production on CNET's award-winning limited documentary series Hacking the Apocalypse. He also created and co-hosts our video series What the Future.
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  • Webby Award Honoree 2023 - Science & Education, Gold Telly 2022 - Science and Technology, Gold Telly 2022 - Science and Technology Series, Gold Telly 2021 - Documentary Series, Silver Telly 2021 - Directing
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Andy Altman

A Scottish startup says its prototype wave-energy device produced "highly encouraging results."

This story is part of CNET Zero, a series that chronicles the impact of climate change and explores what's being done about the problem.

AWS Ocean announced that after six months at sea its Archimedes Waveswing produced more than 10 kilowatts during moderate wave conditions, with peaks as high as 80 kilowatts. That beat company expectations by 20 percent. 

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The Archimedes Waveswing sits below the ocean's surface.

 AWS Energy

Waveswing is a 50-ton buoylike device that's tethered to the ocean floor and sits below the water's surface. It uses the force of passing waves to generate power. Watch the video above to learn more about how Waveswing works.

AWS Ocean says its prototype survived force 10 gale conditions. This trial period, taking place off Scotland's Orkney Islands, is expected to wrap up before the end of the year, with more trials planned in 2023.