![]() ![]() There are various types of WECs, but they all work based on the common principle of converting the natural movement of ocean surfaces into usable and transferable forms of electricity.Ī common type of WEC is a point absorber, often consisting of a floating buoy that moves in concert with the up and down motion of passing waves, capturing and converting mechanical energy from the rise and fall of surface waves into electricity through a power generator. Devices called wave energy converters (WECs) capture the kinetic energy of ocean waves and convert it into electricity. (Illustration by Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg 1986) How does wave energy work?Īs long-distance ocean currents approach shallow coastal regions and wind blows over the surface of open water, waves form. Sketch of a front and rear moored floating wave power generator by Yoshio Masuda. Although the ocean waves proved too much for his house-sized floating generators, in recent years we have seen more devices withstanding the harsh environments that they are designed for. A few decades later, in 1974, Stephen Salter, a professor at the University of Edinburgh, explored the seas around Scotland and launched the world’s first major wave energy project. Masuda originally selected a floating-type device because of its simplicity, according to a report he wrote that would later detail his findings. In the 1940s, Yoshio Masuda, a chief scientist at the Japan Marine Science and Technology Centre, former Japanese naval commander, and widely regarded as the father of modern wave power technology, is credited for the creation of the oscillating water column. The city struggled to propose a cost-effective way to sprinkle the passageways with water to settle the dust, inspiring the Armstrong brothers to build a simple wave motor inside the coastal cliff area to power irrigation. In California, an extreme drought in Santa Cruz during the winter of 1898 led to dust flying on the wagon roads, greatly affecting travel. Later in the century, wave energy converters and motors were being developed all over the world as people searched for new innovations to solve local environmental problems and power small communities. In the 1860s, the city of San Francisco, California began experimentation using wave action to power boats. Girard is recognized as the first holder of a wave power patent. This was the first technology of its kind and was designed primarily to power heavy machinery, including mills and pumps. In 1799, a French inventor by the name of Pierre-Simon Girard, along with his son, designed a machine to mechanically capture the energy of ocean waves. The history of wave energyĪttempts to use waves as an energy source date back to the late 18 th century. Based on a 2021 report entitled “ Marine Energy in the United States: An Overview of Opportunities ,” wave energy has the potential to significantly contribute to the energy needs of the United States. Together, with the recent push to increase offshore wind development in the United States, continuing to explore and advance wave energy technologies will create sustainable and lasting ocean-based solutions for generations to come. In an effort to transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources, there is a need to understand the most effective ways to responsibly capitalize on the power of the ocean to power human activities. The Department of Energy Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) recognizes that harnessing waves, tides, and ocean currents presents an immense potential for energy production. With water covering two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, the ocean represents a vast, untapped resource that could provide energy security for generations to come. (Photo: Pexels)Īs the demand for carbon-neutral electricity rises, it is necessary to identify, vet, and secure sustainable resources beyond what currently composes the nation’s energy portfolio. Massive quantities of wave energy arrive at our coastlines every year this resource is particularly energetic off the nation’s Pacific shorelines. PNNL-Sequim (Marine and Coastal Research).Interdiction Technology and Integration Laboratory.Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory.Electricity Infrastructure Operations Center.Atmospheric Radiation Measurement User Facility.Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship.Distinguished Graduate Research Programs.Hydropower Cybersecurity and Digitalization.Environmental Performance of Hydropower. ![]() ![]() Marine Energy Resource Characterization.Environmental Monitoring for Marine Energy.Grid Integration, Controls, and Architecture.Energy Efficient Technology Integration.Mass Spectrometry-Based Measurement Technologies. ![]()
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