WAVE ENERGY!!

What is wave energy? Wave energy is a indirect and condensed form of solar energy. Wave energy is also nonpolluting. Energy or power derived from the movement of the ocean waves, especially when used for the generation of electricity.

The purpose of wave energy Devices! The purpose of a wave energy device is to harvest the energy in the waves. Since wave energy is a renewable resource, the environmental impact is limited to the resources used for production, set-up and dismantling. The evaluation of wave energy devices should be based on the relation between realistic energy production and monetary investment – a simple case of kilowatts per dollar.

The Advantages of Wave Energy! The energy is free- no fuel is needed and no waste is produced. Not expensive to operate and maintain. Can produce a significant amount of energy.

The Disadvantages of Wave Energy! depends on the waves – variable energy supply needs a suitable site, where waves are consistently strong must be able to withstand very rough weather costly to develop visual impact if above water or on shore can disturb or disrupt marine life – including changes in the distribution and types of marine life near the shore poses a possible threat to navigation from collisions due to the low profile of the wave energy devices above the water, making them undetectable either by direct sighting or by radar may interfere with mooring and anchorage lines with commercial and sport-fishing may degrade scenic ocean front views from wave energy devices located near or on the shore, and from onshore overhead electric transmission lines.

Wave Energy Devices! historical wave energy devices! wave energy generation devices!

How the devices work!! This is the most abundant source of Renewable Energy in the World. The energy converting devices utilize the principle of an Oscillating Water Column (OWC). OWC based Wave Energy Power Plants convert wave energy into low-pressure pneumatic power in the form of bi-directional airflow. Self-rectifying air turbines, capable of operating uni-directionally in bi-directional airflows, are used to extract mechanical shaft power, which is further converted into electrical power by a generator.  

How Wave Energy Devices are Classified!! Traditionally wave energy devices have been classified by placement (on shore, near shore, off shore), rather than by principle of operation or how much energy the device can produce. The following classification system is based on the principle of operation, where each group has inherent limits on energy potential. This system is therefore useful for evaluating and comparing the efficiency and energy potential of different wave energy devices.   This system is based on the several hundred wave energy devices which have already been designed and patented. The classification groups have been kept deliberately simple so even non-professionals can easily understand them.

History!! This machine was used to detect wave energy in 1890. the wave energy devices that where first made in 1890 where first tried at the southern California beaches.

The Most Recent Info!! The first commercial wave energy plant was brought online on the island of Islay, Scotland in November of 2000. (next to this is a picture of the devices on Islay Island.) Wave energy is also 15 to 20 years behind other energy’s.

Places to find wave energy!! Favorable wave energy sites are generally western coastlines facing the open ocean such as those in North America and Northern Europe. You can mostly find wave energy close to or by oceans.

The British Government! Scientist and inventors have been trying to figure out ways to capture the energy in the ocean waves for decades. The British Government has spent about $20 million dollars on a national program for wave energy research and development. They hope to find another way to detect wave energy.

New Development! Wave energy technology is very young compared to generating electricity from wind turbines. Wavegen is at the leading edge of developing technologies to generate electricity using wave energy.

Resource!!! www.google.com www.yahoo.com www.ask.com www.wavegen.co.uk/ www.livescience.com www.gizmag.com