Wave power
Wave power means the use of ocean surface waves and the capture of that energy to do useful work—including electricity generation, desalination, and the pumping of water (into reservoirs). It makes use of the kinetic energy of the waves that are driven by the wind.
Power from ocean surface wave motion might produce much more energy than tides. Tests have shown that it is possible to produce energy from waves, particularly in Scotland in the UK. But the technology is not as well developed as other renewable energy such as wind power or solar power.
Wave Power Media
Motion of a particle in an ocean wave.*A = At deep water. The circular motion magnitude of fluid particles decreases exponentially with increasing depth below the surface.*B = At shallow water (ocean floor is now at B). The elliptical movement of a fluid particle flattens with decreasing depth.*1 = Propagation direction. *2 = Wave crest.*3 = Wave trough.
Photograph of the elliptical trajectories of water particles under a – progressive and periodic – surface gravity wave in a wave flume. The wave conditions are: mean water depth d = 2.50 ft (0.76 m), wave height H = 0.339 ft (0.103 m), wavelength λ = 6.42 ft (1.96 m), period T = 1.12 s.
Different conversion routes from wave energy to useful energy in terms or electricity or direct use.
Generic wave energy concepts: 1. Point absorber, 2. Attenuator, 3. Oscillating wave surge converter, 4. Oscillating water column, 5. Overtopping device, 6. Submerged pressure differential, 7. Floating in-air converters.
Wave Power Station using a pneumatic Chamber
Simplified design of Wave Power Station
World wave energy resource map
Other websites
- Practical Ocean Energy Management Systems Inc Links and discussion Archived 2007-07-14 at the Wayback Machine
- An Ocean Wave Energy Converter Using Rotors Archived 2007-03-15 at the Wayback Machine
- Oceanography: waves
- "Waves" by Tim Lovett Archived 2007-05-02 at the Wayback Machine -- Tables and trivia on waves
- Wave Energy Archived 2007-04-21 at the Wayback Machine -- World Energy Council
- Corvallis Gazette Times[dead link] -- Oregon State University wants to host a national wave research center
