In the relentless pursuit of a sustainable and cleaner future, technological advancements in renewable energy sources are crucial for mitigating climate change and reducing our carbon footprint. Oneka Technologies, a company using exclusively renewable energy from the waves to turn seawater into freshwater, has recently received a significant allocation of US$3.4 M from DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office’s (WPTO) Powering the Blue Economy™ Initiative to further develop its Icecube project and marine energy subsystem solutions.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Commitment
The U.S. Department of Energy has long been at the forefront of promoting research, development, and deployment of sustainable energy technologies. As part of its ongoing efforts, the DOE has invested nearly US$10 M to advance marine energy systems, with a significant portion dedicated to supporting Oneka’s Icecube unit and wave-powered desalination’s subsystem leap innovations.
Pushing the Boundaries of Wave-Powered Desalination
Oneka is dedicated to solving water-related problems in disaster areas, among others. Its wave-powered desalination technologies have the potential to become an affordable, emission-free and drought-resistant drinking water supply solution. In emergency relief situations, these systems could provide a reliable and sustainable alternative for producing clean water from seawater using exclusively the energy from ocean waves. By focusing on the affordability of these technologies, Oneka aims to make them accessible to all, contributing to a more sustainable future for future generations around the world.
The two Oneka projects awarded:
Oneka’s IceCube: Emergency Relief Application Solution (US$2 M)
Oneka Technologies USA, Inc. aims to optimize the Oneka IceCube, a wave-powered desalination device designed for emergency relief applications. The project focuses on reducing costs, enhancing technical performance, improving deployment methods and preparing for commercialization.
Subcomponents Breakthrough Innovations (US$1.4 M)
Oneka Technologies USA, Inc. will develop a self-cleaning seawater intake system, optimize system design, and improve hydraulic components to enhance system efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for recognizing the immense potential of marine energy technologies and for selecting two of Oneka’s projects to be part of this prestigious grant funding. We are honored to be a part of their efforts in shaping a cleaner and greener future. The financial support provided by the DOE will undoubtedly accelerate Oneka’s development and the adoption of its solutions. These projects align perfectly with the United States goal of achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050, and we are thrilled to contribute to this crucial journey. Thank you, DOE, for your unwavering dedication to fostering innovation in the marine energy sector and for paving the way towards a more sustainable world.