Wave Power

Wave power could be the "wave" of the future for producing energy!

Wind, weather, sun energy, and gravity cause tides and waves in our oceans that never stop.

New and innovative technologies are now being developed to capture this infinite wave energy and convert it to useful, clean, renewable power for generations to come.

Since ocean waves are always present (and stronger in certain areas of our planet surface as we'll see later), this never-ending form of energy is being looked at by scientists and researchers as something that could significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, for an indefinite period of time.

• Buoy Technology
  

  Buoy technology is being investigated and tested as the greatest potential energy use from waves.

  A California company called Finavera makes what is known as an Aquabuoy – a buoy that is connected to a long underwater piston. This piston pressurizes a seawater filled chamber as is bobs up and down on the waves. The pressure from the seawater in the chamber cranks a turbine and produces electricity.

  One large Northern California company, Pacific Gas & Electric, has now entered into a power purchase agreement with Finavera Renewables to set up a wave farm (using these buoys) that will produce 2 megawatts of electricity. This wave farm will be built a little over 2 miles off the coast of California in Humboldt County.

  The goal for this wave farm is to have it start producing power by the year 2012. It is estimated that it ill prevent almost 250 tons of carbon dioxide that is normally produced annually from being released into the environment.

  Each buoy will be able to produce 240 kilowatts (enough to power 80 homes). If the Finavera project is a success, they plan on expanding it to produce over 100 megawatts of power.

  Verdant Power is another company that placed six tidal turbines in New York's East River in early 2008. Verdant Power is hoping to achieve a successful outcome from this test that can be used for future energy needs.



• Wave Collection
  Wave collection, is a method whereby a series of layered ‘reservoirs’ allow waves to splash up a calculated slope. This water is then converted to kinetic energy by falling down through collection chambers, and this turns the turbines/generators to produce electricity.

  One company that is on the cutting edge of this technology is called WaveEnergy out of Algard, Norway. WaveEnergy is currently testing this design on about 500m of shoreline in Norway. They estimate about 150 kilowatts of power can be generated from this.

  Uniquely, they are also considering building and testing this technology on old, deep sea oil platforms, since these have a considerable amount of rough seas and are already connected via pipelines to the shore, allowing infrastructure for power line connectivity.




• Wave Air Pressure
  Boxes or devices can be built that allow waves to compress or pressurize air in a chamber. This pressurized air is pushed through a funnel and drives the turbines (250kW turbines) that produce electricity.

  Currently, the only know use of this system is on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland. It is known as Limpet (Land Installed Marine Powered Energy Transformer) and it was built by a company called Wavegen.

  The upside of this technology is that most of the mechanics of it are above water and can be more easily maintained. The only downside to it (currently) is that anyone living close to it may have to tolerate the extra noise produced by the air and the turbines.

Environmental concerns seem to be the major issue with wave power. Most wave technology can't be seen from shore, but it can get entangled in boat engines and, has the potential of disturbing marine life.

Some of the tests that Finavera Renewables has conducted with buoys have had some set-backs – such as sinking buoys and mechanical breakdown from strong currents causing blades and equipment to break.

But, over the coming years, more companies and researchers will be in contact with groups and organizations that have an interest in the coastline, including crabbers, surfers, and residents. They hope to resolve these challenges as soon as possible – and begin setting these systems up for long-term use.

Wave power may seem a bit strange to most of us, at first. But, once we completely understand and accept the benefits derived from wave power generation, the future can only get better and brighter for this technology…

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