 Waves are generated by wind passing over the surface of the sea. Wave power is distinct from the diurnal flux of tidal power and the steady gyre of ocean currents. Wave power generation is not currently a widely employed commercial technology although there have been attempts at using it since at least 1890.

 Ocean waves are caused by the wind blowing over the surface of the ocean, and in some areas of the world these winds are both consistent enough, as well as powerful enough to provide continuous big waves. Big ocean waves are tremendous source of energy and extracting useful energy from big ocean waves has great potential to become significant source of renewable energy in some parts of the world in years to come.

 The main disadvantage of wave power is the fact that wave power varies considerably in different parts of the world meaning that not all parts of the world have required efficiency to make wave energy projects economically viable. The areas with great wave energy potential include western coasts of Scotland, northern Canada, southern Africa, Australia, and the northwestern coasts of the United States.

 Wave power is renewable energy derived from ocean waves. It is the kinetic energy of wind interacting with water and creating waves, said Peter Asmus, a senior analyst with pike Research, a clean tech market research and consulting firm.

 The mean transport rate of the wave energy through a vertical plane of unit width, parallel to a wave crest, is called the wave energy flux (or wave power, which must not be confused with the actual power generated by a wave power device).