Motion of the ocean

Hurricane Katrina whipped up powerful waves in 2005 that caused severe destruction along the Gulf Coast. The size and strength of those waved convinced Phil Kithil of Santa Fe, N.M., there had to be a way to harness that energy. After three ideas failed to draw commercial interest, his company, Atmocean Inc., partnered with Albuquerque engineering firm Reytek Corp. in 2010 to produce a pump system that uses wave power to send pressurized seawater onto shore where it is desalinated without the use of external energy. It has a simple design and can be set up cheaply, and in rural settings, to provide fresh water for drinking and farming near coastal communities. Working with scientists at Sandia National Laboratories, the firms have tested and advanced the technology and moved it close to market by attracting significant investment. (Source: Maritime Executive 07/05/17)