Wednesday, November 18, 2009

SA man's wave-energy invention grabs interest

By Slindile Maluleka

The Isipingo man who invented a sea-wave-energy innovation could not contain his emotions when he learnt of an individual who displayed a keen interest in his work that could help him commercialise his project.

Jay Matabadul, 66, was very happy when the Daily News phoned recently to give him the good news which could put his invention on the market.

Systems Applications Product (SAP) Corporate Affairs Executive Sunil Geness, who contacted the reporter for more information about the sea-wave-energy invention after the article appeared earlier this week, said he could help Matabadul get his project commercialised as it has also been patented by the National Research Institute.

"I was down in Durban for a couple of days and I happened to get hold of the paper. This article caught my attention because I have a keen interest in environmental sustainability issues.

"I would like to help the inventor commercialise his product, and give him exposure," he said.

Geness said he was due to leave for Zurich on Saturday for a few days and he would like to circulate the first article that was published about the sea-wave-energy innovation globally, but especially to the World Wide Foundation of Conservation Organisation.

Since he is part of the One Planet Leaders scholarship programme, Geness said he had already scanned the article and had distributed it across the world to others who are part of the programme, and he had received an overwhelming response. He is determined to make this innovation known and recognised worldwide - but would like to see how it works.

Geness was formally the government relations manager at the South African State Information Technology Agency (Sita).

Matabadul's invention, which is called the "vertical model", took him six years to complete - through research, planning and finally construction, with the belief that his invention could harness electricity through sea-wave-energy.

He also believes that his invention can reduce global warming and he says it is inexpensive to build and install, is energy free, does not require fossil fuels like coal or expensive uranium and oil, is environmentally friendly and does not pose a threat to marine life or plants.

In addition, sea waves are in abundance, there are no greenhouse gases and waste to worry about, it does not need vast|areas of land and sea, and it takes the least amount of time from inception to production.

Energy generation is constant, much cheaper, could start quicker than coal or uranium-driven sea-wave energy-saving mechanisms, and could benefit communities through job creation.

This article was originally published on page 5 of The Daily News on November 16, 2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009