Wave
Ocean surface waves are generated by wind passing over the ocean surface. The friction between the wind and ocean surface causes energy to be transferred from the faster moving air to the surface layer of the ocean. Wave development depends on the length of ocean, or “fetch,” over which the wind blows in a constant direction. Longer fetches with higher wind velocities will produce larger waves. Waves can travel thousands of miles with little energy loss and can combine with waves from storms and other wind-driven events to create very energetic seas. The energy of ocean waves is concentrated at the surface and decays rapidly with depth. Wave energy technologies, also known as wave energy converters (WECs), capture energy directly from the surface motion of ocean waves. WECs can be deployed at offshore, nearshore, and shore-based locations and are intended to be modular and deployed in arrays. Due to the diverse nature of waves in different regions of the world, there is a wide variety of WECs in various stages of research and development.
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Point Absorber
Photo Credit: Ocean Power Technologies |
Surface Attenuator
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Oscillating Water Column
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Overtopping Device
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Oscillating Wave Surge Converter
Photo Credit: Aquamarine Power |
Affiliated Marine and Wind Energy Environmental Documents
Title | Author | Date | Content Type | Technology |
---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) | Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) | Project Site | Marine Energy, Wave | |
Farr Point Wave Array - Phase 1 | Pelamis Wave Power | Project Site | Marine Energy, Wave | |
Ocean Plug: Portuguese Pilot Zone | Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) | Project Site | Marine Energy, Wave, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind | |
PacWave South Test Site | Oregon State University | Project Site | Marine Energy, Wave | |
Churchill Barriers - Wave Overtopping and Tidal Flow Energy Capture | Orkney Islands Council | Project Site | Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave | |
Costa Head Wave Farm | Archimedes Wave Swing | Project Site | Marine Energy, Wave |