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30 March 2006 - Electricity generated from waves has been transmitted to a national electricity grid for the first time anywhere in the world, according to the developers of a project in Sicily, Italy.
A three-propeller turbine dubbed Kobold and developed by the Italian Bridge of Archimede, generated 40 kW of power during a trial in a Strait off the coast of Messina.
The company's president Elio Matacena, said: "The project is a proud achievement for Italy and I'm happy that Messina has become the first city on the planet to receive electrical power from the sea."
In recent months a number of countries have made significant advancements in technology that harnesses energy from the sea.
Marine Current Turbines announced this week that it had identified a suitable site off the coast of North Wales to host the first demonstration of its underwater windmill design. The company has designed a product similar to that of an onshore wind turbine, which it plans to fix to the bottom of the sea. Flowing water would then drive the turbine to generate electricity.
The Anglesey coast line has been highlighted as the ideal location to build an initial ten turbine demonstration at a cost of around £15m ($26m).
However, despite receiving a £52 000 grant from the Welsh European Funding Office to scout a possible location for a trial run, the company has encountered problems from local planning officers due to the fact it is an unproven technology.
Marine Current Turbines believes that if consent was granted tomorrow, a working demonstration project could be in place within three years.
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