A breakthrough invention by a Kent firm could change the way energy is harvested.

The Checkmate Group, based at New Road, Sheerness, has launched Checkmate Seaenergy to deal with the development of the Anaconda Wave Energy Converter.

Anaconda uses an entirely novel concept to harvest energy from sea waves.

Essentially, it is a large, water- filled, rubber tube floating beneath the ocean surface at right angles to the waves, with a power take off at the stern.

When a long wave passes, the bulge tube is lifted with the surrounding water and this causes a bulge wave which passes down the tube, gathering energy from the ocean waves as it goes.

Bulge waves are then used to drive a turbine generator.

The firm has been working on Anaconda for about 18 months, and the project is still very much in the early stages.

The team is now embarking on a research and development programme which will develop the system and demonstrate what Anaconda is capable of.

Anaconda has received a preliminary stamp of approval from the Carbon Trust.

Because of its unique concept, it will be reliable, low-maintenance, self-regulating, have good energy capture, low to insure and have few parts, giving it the potential to be very cost effective.