In the green north of Spain, the Basque region has emerged as a renewable energy powerhouse over the last decade. Although high population density, mountainous terrain, and a lack of appropriate building sites have limited renewable energy production in the region, a number of Spain's most dynamic green energy firms have set up a dynamic manufacturing base there. With the wind energy market growing saturated, these firms have turned to solar and wave power. In the latter market, there is an interesting project going on in the coastal city of Mutriku which incorporates wave energy into breakwaters.
As the diagram below explains, the constant splash of small waves is captured through the inclusion of air chambers within the breakwater. As the waves enter and exit the chamber they drive air in and out, and these changes in air pressure are utilized to drive Wells turbines.
continued at Daily Kos....
