Wave Energy

What is it?

Wave power is the transfport of energy by waves on the surface of the ocean, and the capture of this energy for human use. There is currently no one main method of converting energy from waves, as many different companies have built wave power stations using various different ideas. The places with the potential for producing wave energy are the North and South America, Southern Africa, and Australia New Zealand. The amount of energy a wave power station produces is determined by many facots. The heigh of the waves, the speed of the waves, the length of the waves, and the water density all contribue to the energy produced. At this stage, wave power stations are are and not much money is put into it, but once we build the technology to harness this power, some experts predict that in the future there will be a strong market for wave power, as the demand for renewable energy becomes stronger.

How does it work?

There are several methods of converting the power of wave into energy. The most common of these methods uses a chamber in the sea, with a hle at the top of the chamber. as waves enter into the chamber, the water rises and falls, which causes the air to be forced in and out of the hole at the top. The pressure of the air going in and out of the hole turns a turbine which produces the energy.

Another method of harnessing wave energy has been developed by a company named Ocean Power Delivery. A long, snake like tube called "Pelamis" with hinges on it is located on the surface of the ocean off the coast of the UK. As waves pass over the tube, it's hinges bend, pumping to land and drives generators.

A company called Renewable Energy Holdings has created an idea for wave power using underwater equipment near a sea bed near the coast. Waves pass over the unit which causes a piston to move. This pumps seawater to drive generators.

How efficient is it?
Wave power is a very energy efficent of produicing power. The stations don't need any fuel to operate, and the action of converting wave power into energy doesn't produce any pollution or waste . Compared to coal or oil, it is a very good form of power in terms of effect on the planet.

The cost of wave power stations at the moments is a bit of a problem, as it is fairly new technology that hasn't researched as much as solar or wind energy. As with all technology, wave power will become cheaper to produce and sometime in the future could produce up to 10% of the world's energy. Though renewable sources such as solar and wind are more efficient options now, thhe potential for energy from the ocean is just as promising.

Problem
There are a few problems with using wave power, especially as it is a new technology. As with most renewable energy, it needs to be able to withstand all conditions, as wel as produce energy in all conditions. In March, a wave power station off the coast of New South Wales sunk due to rough weather. It is tough to build a station to last years of being constatly pounded by waves.

The other problem is being able to store the waves are low and aren't prducing much. This is where we need technology to develop and improve our methods of making renewable energy. In 50, or even 20 years we will probably be able to produce a great deal more energy from wave power than we probably will be able to produce a great deal more energy from wave power than we can now, for a lower price. The effects of it soon, on our environment and ecosystems. We need technology to develop quickly, so we can avoid Global Warming on a large scale.