Talk of “free electricity forever” sounds like hype, but a breakthrough from a Netherlands-based company, Symphony Wave Power, is turning a lot of heads in the clean energy world. Instead of looking to the sun or wind, this technology dives under the surface—literally—using the power of ocean waves to generate electricity around the clock.
New wave energy converter designed by Symphony Wave Power
As per a report by Interesting Engineering, Symphony Wave Power has developed a new wave energy converter that operates entirely underwater. As waves roll over it, the device moves with them and capitalizes on the use of pressure of passing waves to generate power.
Unlike traditional wave devices that sit on the surface and often struggle with efficiency and durability, this system is designed to stay submerged, stable, and far more productive.
Read more: Scientists discover bacteria that can breathe by generating electricity
Motion-based resonance design
The company keeps on making claims that its motion-based, resonant design can be up to five times (500%) more efficient than older, non-resonant wave energy systems. Inconsistency is considered to be one of the biggest challenges—not every wave carries the same energy.
Symphony’s converter is built to capture energy from multiple waves at once, smoothing out the output and making it more reliable as a power source.
Enthralling wave technology: sustainable and low maintenance cost
What makes the technology even more enthralling is its focus on sustainability and low maintenance. The device is built from recyclable materials and installed in a way that is meant to cause minimal disturbance to marine life and the seabed. Because it works underwater and doesn’t have many moving parts exposed to harsh weather, it requires little to no regular maintenance, keeping long-term operating costs down.
In a world racing to cut emissions, this kind of innovation could become an important piece of the renewable energy mix. Unlike solar panels, which depend on sunlight, or wind turbines, which need favourable wind speeds, ocean waves are almost always in motion. That means wave power can provide a more constant flow of energy, helping to balance the grid and support other clean technologies.
Read more: Researchers develop solar panels that generate electricity at night
Symphony Wave Power completed major dry testing phases
Symphony Wave Power has already completed some of the major dry-testing phases, and the company anticipates moving towards offshore deployment in 2026. “What started as engineering on paper is now in motion,” the company told Interesting Engineering, calling the test results “a major milestone” on its roadmap.
So, is this really “the end of solar”? No—solar, wind, and other renewables are here to stay. But this new wave technology shows that the future of clean energy won’t rely on just one solution. Instead, it will be a combination of smart, complementary technologies—and ocean waves might quietly become one of the most powerful of them all.