Alternative Energy: Wave-Powered Ocean Energy Technology

Wave power can be used to generate electricity, safely and cleanly, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no emissions or pollution. It’s no wonder many energy companies are investing heavily in wave power production research and development. It has been estimated that the total amount of power available from the world’s oceans, using existing technology, is around twice the current worldwide energy production. Wave power has many advantages as an alternative source of energy:

• Abundance - two thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans
• Efficency - modern technology can produce over 80% efficiency (compared to conventional coal and oil generation at between 30-45 percent efficiency)
• Clean - zero emissions

Wave power devices can be used on or off shore, with several different types in current use including:

• Oscillating water column (OWC) - a partially submerged, hollow structure which is open to the sea below the water level. Waves cause the water inside the column to rise and fall, which compresses and depresses the air inside the column. This air compression/decompression is used to drive a Wells turbine (a clever turbine design that rotate in the same direction irrespective of the airflow direction) which is used to generate electricity.
• Barrage system or tidal power plant - the simplest and oldest method of wave power production. Basically a dam is built across an inlet, incoming tidal water is allowed to breach the dam through sluice gates, then when tide recedes, water is released through turbines to create electricity.
• Floating wave devices, for example the Sea Dog pump - simple but ingenious devices that use “bouyancy blocks” as pistons to pump seawater to a shore based hydroelectric turbine. As the waves dip water is pulled into cylinder then the rising swells force water out.