The prototype consists of a 45-ton wave energy converter that can capture energy from both the heave (up/down) and surge (front/back) motions of waves. It has an onboard generator to convert kinetic motion to electricity, which is transferred to the grid via an undersea cable. The device first went online last month, bringing an unknown quantity of power to Hawaii's electrical grid. Researchers from the University of Hawaii recently confirmed its performance, marking the first time that US cities and homes have officially been powered, in part, by waves.

Following further tests on the current system, the NWEI and DoE plan to ramp things up considerably. They'll use the result from the current trial to design a new generator that will operate in bigger waves at 60-80 meter depths (100-150 feet) and generate up to 1 megawatt, enough energy to power several hundred homes. That system could come online as early as 2017, but meanwhile, researchers will continue testing Azura over the next year.