Why wave energy? - Due to the high energy density
Ocean waves are created by wind blowing along at sea-level. Furthermore, the wind is created by the sun as its heating creates low and high atmospheric pressure. Only a small portion of the solar energy is converted into wind energy, and of this only a small part is transformed into wave energy. But in both these energy transformations, there is an increase of the energy density. Just below the sea surface, the average energy density is many times higher than the density of wind energy. When the wind blows in the same direction over time, a dominant wave direction is created which coincides with the wind direction. The high energy density means that a properly designed wave power unit will have a beneficial relationship between the size of the structures and the energy produced. In this fact, there is also a promise that wave energy will have competitive energy prices in the long term.
Picture: Wikipedia
What happens in an ocean waves? Energy, not water or ocean, is transported along at sea-level. Water particles move only in small circles as the wave passes, as shown in the figure. In deep water, the particles move in circles (A), whereas in shallower water, the movement is more and more elliptical (B). particle movement also takes place under the water surface, but is quickly reduced as one goes deeper in the water.
No conflicts concept
It is a goal for the team that there should be little or no conflicts with existing interests as fisheries, coastal landscapes or marine transport. Wave energy devices can be installed in larger power parks far out to sea beyond sight from the coast, and connected in the power network in a single floating- or underwater station. There should only be necessary to bring sub-sea power cable to shore. Furthermore, the system should not compete with fishing interests at shallow waters and fishing banks, in the same extent asinstallations fixed to the ocean floor does.
Picture: Wikipedia
For a scenario with the development of ocean energy on a large scale, it becomes important to focus on the overall environmental impact of the system. To use water as working fluid, is therefore a safe choice. For more reading about wave energy:
Professor Johannes Falnes' web pages with list of wave power books