Wave2O Desalination System
Resolute Marine

Solution Overview & Benefits
Wave2O™ uses wave energy converters installed just offshore to pressurize seawater and feed it directly into a reverse‑osmosis desalination plant onshore—without using electricity. It’s designed for coastal and island communities lacking reliable power, providing dependable and low-cost freshwater. The system is modular and quick to install, with minimal environmental impact, making it ideal for remote, water-stressed regions.
Benefits:
- Zero fossil fuel use—powered entirely by ocean waves (no grid needed)
- Low freshwater cost—around €1.20–$1.25 per cubic meter, typically 3× cheaper than diesel-based systems
- Scalable & rapid deployment—modular units fit in shipping containers and can be installed in days
- Minimal environmental footprint—brine discharge is highly diluted and safe; no visual or noise disruption
- Local jobs and skills—operation and maintenance create opportunities in target communities
- Reduces CO₂ emissions—each 4,000 m³/day unit displaces about 5,500 tons of CO₂ annually, equivalent to removing ~1,050 cars from the road
History & Development
Resolute Marine Energy (RME), based in Boston, Massachusetts, began developing wave-powered desalination technologies in the early 2000s with support from the U.S. Department of Energy and other partners. The Wave2O™ system evolved from RME’s early work in wave energy converters, adapting this technology to address freshwater scarcity in off-grid coastal areas.
In 2018, Wave2O was selected by the Solar Impulse Foundation as one of their 1000 efficient and sustainable solutions. Pilot projects have been pursued in several countries, including Cape Verde, Morocco, South Africa, and various island nations. The system continues to be refined and adapted for rapid deployment in coastal communities facing climate-driven water stress.
Availability
- Available: worldwide
- Price: Custom pricing based on site size, location, and wave conditions
Specifications
- Technology: Off-grid wave-powered desalination system
- Energy source: Ocean waves (no electricity or fuel required)
- Main components:
- Wave energy converters (nearshore buoys)
- Hydraulic pipeline system
- Onshore reverse osmosis desalination plant
- Freshwater output: Modular—scaled from hundreds to thousands of m³/day (e.g., one 4,000 m³/day unit supplies water for ~40,000 people)
- Footprint: Modular and containerized (rapid transport and installation)
- Carbon savings: Up to 5,500 tons of CO₂/year per unit
- Cost of water: Estimated at ~$1.25 per cubic meter (lower than diesel-based systems)
Additional Information
- Wave2O is the first wave-powered desalination system designed for commercial deployment.
- The system avoids complex electricity generation, instead transmitting hydraulic pressure directly to the desalination plant.
- It’s especially suitable for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and off-grid coastal regions where importing fuel is costly and unreliable.
- RME has collaborated with the African Development Bank, UN agencies, and national governments to assess deployment opportunities.
- The system is backed by the Solar Impulse Efficient Solutions Label and other international clean tech certifications.
- Each system can be tailored to site conditions, wave climate, and community needs.
Similar solutions...
Get in Touch!
Get in touch with us by filling out the form or emailing us at contact@techxlab.org.

