Wave goodbye to oil — say hello ocean energy

ONE kilometre off the Connemara coast, not far from Spiddal, a rather innocuous looking device is floating in the choppy waters.

At first glance, you’d think it’s some sort of diving spot or a mooring but look closer and you’ll spot a small wind turbine and more technical equipment.

This machine is a wave energy converter — a quarter-scale prototype that could play a huge part in Ireland’s attempts to become less dependant on oil and gas reserves.