Wave-Powered Desalination Project Developed Under DNV GL’s Patronage

A new concept conceived by twelve selected students in the DNV GL Summer Project makes a case for wave-powered desalination to help address global water scarcity challenges.

Developed over the past two months by twelve cross-disciplinary fourth-year students, the concept, dubbed Ocean Oasis, is an environmentally friendly off-grid system. It comprises of a wave energy converter and desalination plant floating offshore, delivering clean water to the mainland. It represents a more sustainable approach to producing clean, portable water.

“DNV GL is committed to working towards a safe and sustainable future. Maintaining the close collaboration with selected universities and students is important in order for us reach our ambitious goals,” says Henrik O. Madsen, President & CEO of DNV GL. “The annual DNV GL Summer Project is part of our efforts towards developing a sustainable future, as well as our firm belief in further investment in human capital. Competent people are the most important resource we have, and we appreciate the cooperation with the students and the universities.”

“Every summer DNV GL brings together a group of selected students with a wide variety of academic backgrounds to find innovative solutions to important real world challenges,” explains project manager at DNV GL Kristina Dahlberg. ”This year, the DNV GL Summer Project has taken a closer look at how wave power and desalination technology can contribute to the effort of supplying clean and sustainable water to the world’s growing population. This is an enormous challenge, and we want to bring more knowledge and robust solutions to help address this challenge.”

The selected students, who were chosen from 260 applicants, presented the concept to DNV GL management, employees and industry representatives in Høvik today. “The objective of this project was to develop a concept that would contribute to solving challenges connected to water scarcity. We wanted our solution to be at the intersection of innovation and realism, which has been a difficult feat, but has also increased the quality and credibility of the end product,” says student project manager Mats Mathisen Aarlott.

He added: “As part of our work, we solved several complicated tasks linked to the wave power systems and conducted a financial feasibility study. We have reason to believe that the Ocean Oasis concept is feasible.  Also, we looked into which countries were best suited for developing the technology. We have targeted South Africa based on factors such as wave resources, market conditions and the political situation. When the technology is proven and matured it can be further developed and could contribute to solving future global water scarcity issues.”