Wave power fit worlds energy demand. Including pros & cons

The earth is covered for 70% with oceans. This hughes seas could produce up to 80,000TWh of electricity per year.

Five times more than is needed right now. Worldwide we need cooperation because it is a technology challenge to explore this green power efficient. But if we can we have enough energy to cover the global demand for energy.

Ocean waves and tidal currents are one of the most untapped and important, clean, cheap, rich and reliable sources of renewable energy on the earth. The EU Commission’s 2030 Policy Framework for Climate and Energy recognizes that renewable energy has an important contribution to make in the period to 2030 and beyond.

The energy stored in the tides is certainly not a new concept. In fact, there is evidence that tidal barrage-style mills were in operation as far back as Roman times. These mills made use of the tide by trapping water in reservoirs when the tide was high, and then allowing the water to exit through waterwheels as the tide went out. The waterwheels provided the mechanical power to mill grain.

Rance Tidal Power Station France

This barrage concept was developed further in the 1960s with the building of the Rance Tidal Power Station in France. Operational since 1966, this was the first large-scale tidal power station in the world and remains one of the largest. Operating on the same principle as the Roman mills described above, the ‘waterwheels’ at La Rance are 24 massive turbines, each rated to produce 10 MW.

More wave power technology – Let’s cooperate for the best technology

• OpenHydro Open-Centre Turbine: is a horizontal axis device, which is placed directly on the seabed using a gravity base
• Aquamarine Power’s Oyster wave power technology: a buoyant, hinged flap which is attached to the seabed at depths of between 10 and 15 metres, around half a kilometre from the shore
• The Pelamis machine floats semi-submerged on the surface of the water. As waves pass down the length of the machine and the sections bend in the water, the movement is converted into electricity 
• The DEXAWAVE wave energy converter consists two rigid pontoons, hinged together. The one pontoon can pivot relative to the other. There is a hydraulic power take-off system on top of the converter, generating up to 250 kW
• The Vigor Wave Energy Converter is based on a floating hose, using water and air as mechanical parts to absorb the wave energy. The principle has the potential to produce large amounts of electricity at low cost and the Vigor Wave Energy Converter will be one of the power plant solutions supplying renewable and cost efficient energy to a future sustainable society.
• Wave Carpet: can extract the energy of the ocean waves By the Berkeley Team
• Hayle Wave Hub gets first energy device
• Wave energy plants in Brazil
• Watch more (video)

Pros

• Renewable. Requires no fuel
• Emission-free
• Reliable, a plant can last 100 years
• High efficiency
• Predictable output
• Could potentially provide a storm surge barrier.
• Environmental impacts are local, not global

Cons

• Expensive to build
• Very location specific (only 20 sites identified with high potential)
• Locations are often remote
• Barrages may restrict access to open water
• Impact on fish, marine mammals and birds
• Disrupts regular tidal cycles
• Might decrease salinity in tidal basins
• Mud flats (where many birds feed) adversely impacted

Related

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• Hydrogen Power, Pros & Cons
• Shale Gas, Pros & Cons
• Solar Power Pros & Cons
• Energy from Tar Sands Oil, Pros & Cons
• Fusion Power, Pros & Cons
• Wind Energy Pros & Cons
• Geothermal Energy, Pros & Cons

• Why Wave Power Has Lagged Far Behind as Energy Source
• WavePower source is unlimited
• Tidal wave power SeaRaser for new energy in the UK – by Ecotricity
• WavePower: This Florida company comes with a Deep Ocean Energy Turbine
• Unlimited WavePower: Promising Mini Model
• Wave Energy Conversion Competition Offers Cash Prize

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