Ocean Wave Energy

Lilian Busse

What we agree on:

That we need more renewable energy
What we dont agree on:
That Ocean Energy is a good renewable
energy source, and its worth spending
money in research and development

Outline

Comparison to other renewable energies

Basics of ocean wave energy
Technological status
Possible locations for ocean wave energy
Funding issues for ocean wave energy
Benefits of ocean wave energy
Needs in R&D for ocean wave energy devices

Renewable Energy Sources

Ocean energy wave energy is behind wind and
solar energy developments
85% fossil based
8% nuclear
4% hydro
Less than 4% is Solar, Wind, Geothermal

8%

(6% geothermal, 2% solar and wind)

44%
48%

(Source: POEMS)

Potential for Ocean Wave Energy

Potential world wide: 2,000 TWh/year (10% of

the world electricity consumption)

(Clement et al. 2002)

Comparisons to other renewable

energy sources
Northern CA: 30 kilowatt per m wave crest
(with storms 1 Megawatt per m)
Solar energy: 300 watts per m2
Wind energy: 800 watts per m2

Types of Ocean Energy

Thermal energy
Mechanical energy

From tides

From waves

3 basic systems for

ocean wave energy devices
1. Channel systems that funnel waves into

reservoirs
2. Float systems that drive hydraulic pumps
3. Oscillating water column systems that use
waves to compress air within a container
mechanical power either directly activates a
generator, or transfers to a working fluid, water or
air, which then drives a turbine/generator

Technological status
of wave energy
Ocean energy today is where wind energy was in
1974
Many devices have been invented, only some
tested and evaluated, only a few tested at sea
(most in wave tanks)
Since 1855: 1000 patents
Some are already tested in the field (e.g. Island of
Islay in Scotland, LIMPET (Land-Installed Marine
Powered Energy Transformer) 500 kW
sufficient for 400 homes)

Locations of ocean wave energy

devices
The western coastline has the highest wave
potential in the US (Northern CA)
Floating or completely submerged
Offshore or onshore, on the seabed
Most of prototypes have been places at or near
shore
Wave power at deep sea ocean sites have 3-8
times more the wave power than coastal sites
(but more expensive)

Global Coastal Wave Power Estimates

Europe: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, UK, Portugal

(POEMS)

Funding for Ocean Wave Energy

limited research due to the lack of federal
funding
European Union funds Ocean wave energy
since 1992 with a total Euro 9.5 for 9 years
Investment by both public and private sectors is
essential
investment costs of 820 billion Euro

(Clement et al. 2002)

Benefits of Ocean Wave Energy

Why better than other renewable energies
Available 24/7 on 365 days - therefore power
produced from them is much steadier and more
predictable waves can be accurately predicted
48 hours in advance and therefore forecast
energy output (BUT irregularity in wave
ampitude, and direction)
Good data on waves from wave monitoring
bouys
Wave energy contains 1000 times the kinetic
energy of wind (can produce the same amount of
power in less space)

Benefits of Ocean Wave Energy

cont.
General benefits of Ocean wave energy
Reduce dependence on a specific source
Energy security for US
New business development in local geographic
region
Can provide many coastal locations with energy
In remote areas (islands) wave energy is an
attractive energy because of high energy import
costs
$ 0.12/kW min. cost for wave
energy conversion
-Baltimore: $ 0.06/kW
-San Diego $ 0.13/kW
-Australian Island: $ 0.45/kW

Benefits of Ocean Wave Energy

cont.
Impact on the environment
pollution-free
Less infrastructure (no access roads), and
less space
Quieter and less visual obtrusive than wind
devices

Needs in research and development

of ocean wave energy devices

Cost reduction
Efficiency and reliability improvements
Identification of sites
Better understanding of the impacts of marine life
and shoreline
Weather effects over the life of the facility and the
ability to survive in the marine environment (e.g.
hurricanes)

Therefore more research and development

money is needed to make ocean wave energy
competitive!

Sources

POEMS: Practical Ocean Energy Management Systems, Inc.

ENR: Engineering News-Record
Previsic, M. 2003: The state of the Art in Wave Energy Conversion.
Sea Technology 44 (7), 15-18.
Feasibility of developing wave power as a renewable energy source
for Hawaii. Department of Business, Economic Development and
Tourism, Jan. 2002.
Clement et al 2002: Wave energy in Europe: current status and
perspectives. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 6, 405431.