Abstract
On shore, offshore, and floating solar or wind electrical generation has been successfully demonstrated globally and is reaching for large-scale utility. Marine hydrokinetics (MHK), however, from ocean currents, salinity and thermal gradients, tides, and waves remain mostly untapped. Their dense energy but diffuse nature requires distributed systems of connected modules operating in harsh environments. Small quantity deployments provide electricity for aids to navigation, monitoring equipment, sustainable mariculture, and offshore operations. Saving precious land, more numerous connected module arrays can help to electrify islands, conventionally energy deficient regions, and off-grid applications. Several countries and islands have abundant marine renewable energy resources that greatly exceed local power needs. Some of their landfall and numerous seamounts support ocean energy operations. Coasts and shoals accommodate MHK device staging, servicing, and power equipment. Other highly populated continental areas have relatively low renewable power generation availability. Remotely produced energy must be conveyed to where it is needed. With fewer zoning consent issues than land-based renewables, marine hydrokinetic energy module arrays can directly transmit high density power through wire to existing coastal electric grid transfer stations and mainland population centres. The marine hydrokinetics industry is bound to deploy a larger quantity of modular structures at deeper sites.
Special wave energy converter (WEC) modules use wave energy to pump down oxygen to depths that stimulate web of life near ocean dead zones. Bio-compatible structural materials and coatings tolerate bio-growths without impeding mechanical functions. Shade-casting framing structures and lee side wave attenuation promote symbiotic habitat restoration. Most WEC developers aspire to technologies having least natural disturbance and true cost.