Now scientists are figuring out just how much energy waves could offer. When wind blows across the surface of water, it creates waves. The wind causes water at the surface to bob up and down.
Rather, it moves in circles — up, up, up to the top of the wave, then down, down, down the other side. The ground gets in the way. The water bumps up against the ocean floor, squashing the circle into an oval. The top part lurches past the bottom. Some types of these devices harness the power of breaking waves. Others make use of swells. Still others use the pressure of waves near the ocean floor. Yet all have the same goal: Convert wave energy into electrical energy.
That electricity can be used to power the electric grid. Wave power is restricted to areas near the ocean. After all, the cables that carry electricity can only be so long. That means a whole lot of lights, TVs and tablets could be powered by waves.
With all that promise for wave power, researchers are testing how well different types of generators convert ocean energy to electricity.
The first step to creating wave power? Figuring out the best place to put those energy converters. Not all coastal areas work for generating wave power. The shape of the land beneath the sea changes the size and shape of waves. Wave-energy converters also are costly. The best spots should have plenty of wave action, but not so much that converters might be damaged in a storm.
To figure out the best sites, scientists turn to computer models. Both work at Griffith University in Southport, Queensland. An environmental engineer works to reduce pollution and waste. Since so many people live near the coast, this area could be great for wave power.
The researchers started out with an existing computer model called SWAN. That name stands for Simulating WAves Nearshore. It predicts the strength and location of ocean-wave energy. Renewable Energy on the Outer Continental Shelf. BOEM anticipates future development on the OCS from these general sources: Offshore Wind Energy Offshore wind is an abundant domestic energy resource that is located close to major coastal load centers.
Ocean Wave Energy Hydrokinetic Ocean waves contain tremendous energy potential. Offshore Solar Since oceans cover more than 70 percent of the earth's surface, they receive an enormous amount of solar energy. Alternative Uses of Existing Oil and Gas Platforms The Energy Policy Act of gave BOEM jurisdiction over projects that make alternate use of existing oil and natural gas platforms in Federal waters, in addition to jurisdiction over renewable energy projects.
Alternate uses of existing facilities may include, but are not limited to: Research Education Recreation Support for offshore operations and facilities Telecommunication facilities Offshore aquaculture. The waves hold tremendous amounts of energy — we only need to tap into it. According to the IEA-OES, Annual report in , it is estimated that 80,TWh of electricity per year can potentially be captured from ocean waves — sufficient to meet our global energy demand five times over.
If we can use only a minor part of this potential, it would be a great leap for mankind, especially considering that the vast majority of the world population lives in close proximity to coastlines. Waves are not created equal along all coastlines. This is especially true of locations where the trade winds act — above latitude 40 degrees north and below about 25 degrees south — and where the waves can travel without any obstacles for thousands of nautical miles. Wave climates close to the equator are normally not the most cost effective.
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