Ocean Wave Energy Devices

Ocean wave energy devices There is energy from the sun stored as thermal energy in the oceans, and there is mechanical energy in ocean waves. As in the chapter, we consider more detail on both wave energy and OTEC devices. The average wavelength of deep... More

Ocean wave energy devices There is energy from the sun stored as thermal energy in the oceans, and there is mechanical energy in ocean waves. As in the chapter, we consider more detail on both wave energy and OTEC devices. The average wavelength of deep water ocean waves is about 120 m and such a wave has a power density of about 100 kW/m. For wave energy conversion, there are three basic types (we expand these categories slightly below): channel systems that funnel waves into reservoirs, float systems that use buoyant forces to drive hydraulic pumps, and oscillating water columns that use the pressure of waves in an enclosed container to compress the air or other fluid within. The company Wavegen recently became the first to generate electricity from waves commercially. This accomplishment took place on the small Scottish island of Islay in the Hebrides. (77) The generator has a 500 kW output. It replaced the 75 kW test device that had been in place there for some time. The tec Less