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Renewable Energy
Wave
Energy
While the commercial industry for wave energy
is still in its nascent stage, wave  energy's
characteristics make it a likely future success. Wave
energy is truly renewable, the most consistent of
the "intermittent" renewable energy sources,
non-emitting, and consumes no fuel in the operation
of the system. "Intermittent" sources are
those that operate only when the resource is available.
The maximum energy density of waves (60Kw/m^2) is many
times greater that that of solar
(1 Kw/m^2) or wind (5 Kw/m^2).
Certain regions within the US such as southern Alaska
and the coast along Oregon, Washington, and California
are cited as standout candidates for ocean power projects.
Image credit: NOAA
Photo Library, Point
Lobos, California, image taken by Captain Albert
E. Theberge, NOAA Corps (ret.)
Recent Developments
in Wave Energy
In February, wave-energy technology invented and developed in Western Australia took a significant step closer to commercialisation. Energy Minister Francis Logan today unveiled the first of nine pre-commercialisation wave-energy units that will be installed in the ocean off North Fremantle and thoroughly tested over the next year. “This new and innovative wave energy technology, designed to produce both fresh water and green electricity, has been developed in [Western Australia] and has the potential to deliver significant benefits to the State,” Mr Logan said.
From Media Newswire, Major leap forward for WA wave-energy technology
For more information about wave energy, see:
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