Wave Energy

                 Wave power or wave energy is the transport of energy from ocean surface waves. It can be used for different things such as electricity, pumping water into other reservoirs, and water desalination. The obvious impact of this, is that it’s a better alternative for energy because it is less harmful to the environment. Wave energy has been around since at least 1890. But it was never put to use. The first attempt to use it wasn’t until about 2008 at a Wave Park in Portugal. Currently it isn’t widely used, but with advancements in the future it will reach a point of normality.

            

    The machine that allows all of this to happen is a WEC (wave energy converter) which is exactly what it does. Uses the oceans natural current to supply our energy and water needs. Wave energy doesn’t only come in one form. There are different machines used to make this energy. Some are directly in the middle of the water, others are on the shore of an ocean, and these are called terminators. These devices capture and or reflect the power of the wave. Depending on the wave climate and the device dimensions, they can have power ratings from 500 kW to 2MW. We have more machines including an overtopping device, a point absorber, and attenuators.

                The energy that is distributed is often used in distillation plants, power plants, and water pumps. Another benefit to these energy providers are they do not put any ocean species in danger of dying. Unlike wind turbines that birds often fly into, these devices just float in the water and basically mind their own business. It also doesn’t harm our species because it is a green alternative. It does not use harmful greenhouse gases, it hopes to replace them. Another benefit is it’s renewable. It is said that this energy will not run out until the sun does. The reason this is a reliable source is because the ocean never stops moving, as long as the waves still wave, we will have energy with this product.

                 A big concern that is always around is cost. For these terminators the only big cost would be to make them and or fix them if they did have a malfunction. One they are put into action they need little to no maintenance, causing the operation cost to keep to a minimum. This is wouldn’t be a bad price to pay considering the efficiency of them. No matter what way the waves move, they will still supply energy. They also help the shoreline by capturing kinetic energy of the tide. With less power in the waves, they will be weaker when crashing onto the shoreline preventing damage to the shores.

                Wave energy is a safe and efficient alternative source for energy if you take all of these things into mind. Other than helping with heat, electricity, and other power needing products, these devices can also help with the ocean which in all helps our earth have a happy and healthy ecosystem.