POWER FROM THE SEA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 3 September 1925, Page 10

POWER FROM THE SEA.

SYDNEY RESIDENT’S TESTS

Many attempts have bee n made in the past to ntil.se ti.c power of the wa.es or the sea, but none, so far, have been sue.essful. Kitnerto, in\entois have tried to obtain the power Loin tr.e vertical action of the waves. 1 oar years ago Air. P. Bates, an aihalour Sydney engineer, began his experimenets in the utilisation of the thrusting power of the waves on the snore at Manly. He found the thrusting power of the waves of the sea in calm weather to be between 5001 b and £00!b to the squaie loot, while in a sionn that power increased to above three and a half tons. Being satisfied that practical results would follow if he could procure tlie necessary funds to allow of his building a plant. Mr. Bates submitted his invention to several public-spirited citizens, with the result that he was enabled to erect a plant at Lurline Lay, near Coogee, where h© has since Continued ffi+s A (few days ago he was able to demonstrate t, at Ijis small plant could generate sufficient electricity to light up his hut.

Leading lTo.ni the sea. through the rocks is a trench, down which the .waves race as they strike tlie shore, in tlie centre of the tionch li© has erected a pendulum, at the foot of which is an iron plate about 18in. wide, resembling the float of a paddlewheel. This pendulum is swung to and fra by the inward and outward rush of the waves, and in doing so !>' mps water to a. tank on the- hill. From the tank the water is directed on a water turbine in tlie lint, which in turn operates a small dynamo.

.Mr. Bates dug tli© trench himself and made his ow n turbine and dynamo It has taken him lour years to a;hieve all this. Further experiments <ui a much larger scale are contemplated.