Ocean Motion Option
Wave energy is here.
Most often referred to as wave energy, or wave power, of all the choices available for generating renewable energy, I’m most intrigued about what the natural rhythm of sea waves can do. It will take a combination of all the clean energy alternatives, currently led by solar and wind, to one day displace fossil fuel as the world’s dominant form for powering up civilization. And, if the wave energy scientists and technicians can discover the correct formula for financial and environmental acceptance, ocean motion just might ride to the top of our destined sustainable energy platform and be the most viable choice in the expanding sustainable energy landscape.
Given that onshore wave power is currently one of the lesser-known renewable energy options, don’t be surprised if it emerges as a legitimate contender to displace dirty polluting energy.
Here’s why.
Not only is it a source for the generation of electricity it’s useful for other kinds of beneficial work such as desalination, and also the pumping of water.
Simply put, wave energy is defined as the capture then transition of energy created by the up and down motion of the powerful ocean wave volumes. Therefore, it is truly sustainable energy.
Interestingly, before being considered as such, the waves were used as far back as the early 1800s when they powered up nearby mills, saws, and pumps. Even a house. During the last century, salt water had a featured role in energizing navigational lights; and as recently as the 1970s, converting wave power to electricity was introduced on a very small scale.
Since then, different technical approaches to wave energy have been introduced that can be narrowed down to five suitable methods. Designs implementing absorbers, attenuators, oscillating water columns, overtopping, and the inverted-pendulum type each present a different technique to use ocean motion as a source of power. Still, in the infancy stages, very few of these types of wave power concepts have been installed in wave farms that operate with a history of success.
On the bright side, climate scientists are optimistic given the obvious availability of oceans around the world, no harmful gasses are emitted, and never-ending reliability - regardless of the weather.
Certainly in the early “prove ‘em wrong” phase, but when considering the magnitude of wave surge surrounding every continent, the potential of this clean energy sheer volume is breathtaking.
130 million additional homes could very well be powered up by this latest effort to further diversify humanity’s clean power mix and alleviate greenhouse gas from multiple directions.
Of course, like all inexhaustible energy options, there are drawbacks. The unknown impact on surrounding marine life; the eye-sore image conflicting ocean appearance, thus tourism; and the ongoing cost of maintenance. Most concerning is the very high cost of development and installation.
In my humble opinion, there is one wave energy company that is leading the ocean motion industry with some proven success. Known as Eco Wave Power (EWP), it recently received permission to introduce its unique patented technology to the United States. I believe this to be the most newsworthy clean energy upstart in some time because the natural motion of the ocean waves can be transformed into electricity close to shore while controlled by EWP automated technology on shore.
Last decade, this company operated its wave energy concept for six years in Gibraltar in conjunction with the nation’s National Electric Company. The objective was to prove the concept could safely connect to the grid under the stress of the surrounding storm surges. From this success, the findings were used to design a pioneering wave power installation at the Jaffa port in Israel. That operation has been successfully connected to the country’s energy grid and was officially switched on. EWP is truly exporting electricity into Israel’s economy!
And finally, the best news in this regard: the first commercial-scale wave energy project is committed for the city of Porta, Portugal, where an EWP wave energy relationship began in 2020, which will last 25-30 years…
Just a month ago, Eco Wave Power was permitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin development of EWP’s unique wave motion system at the Alta Sea Institute located in the Port of Los Angeles. The required energy conversion unit is already in place and the 100-KW station is next up.
This is the most established wave power model. True, one design of many and my favorite so far. Through the never-ending rising and falling wave motion, kinetic energy is produced and harnessed by EWP devices that are secured to the seabed. Inside each vertical machine is a series of magnets that move up and down due to a cable being attached to a float on the ocean’s surface. The magnets sit on coils of wire that create electricity that is transferred through a different cable that lies on the seabed and reaches out to the nearby shore where the energy conversion station awaits. Ingenious.
There you have it. The rhythmic pattern of wave oscillation is derived from the wind’s interaction with the ocean surface - a continuous form of infinite energy that doesn’t require a sunny day like solar or elevated winds powerful enough to spin a turbine. An astounding invention due to the predictability factor.
When the fears of disruption to marine life and high installation and maintenance costs are overcome, I believe wave energy will be undeniable as the most reliable clean energy source. And, the above model presented to you does not have a noise pollution impact, is minimally noticeable from a distance, and won’t damage marine ecosystems.
Let’s shift over to quickly summarize wave power’s clean energy competition.
Solar power and wind energy have no connection to pollution, but solar requires uninterrupted sunlight while emitting carbon during the manufacturing/recycling stages. Wind power must have a continuous air current made up of non-stop forceful wind patterns.
Hydroelectric power must rely on moving water located inland while geothermal power does emit small amounts of CO2 and methane while using up way too much fresh water, causing tiny earthquakes, producing some hazardous waste, and causing scarring to Earth’s surface.
While nuclear power does not produce greenhouse gases, it certainly leaves behind radioactive waste that stays around for hundreds of years.
Green hydrogen is considered clean energy only when used in fuel cells which causes an emission problem. Whether green or produced from natural grey gas, remember, hydrogen is mainly used for industrial endeavors such as petroleum refining and ammonia production. Green hydrogen costs about four times regular hydrogen.
Incidentally, don’t ever be fooled into accepting natural gas as a form of renewable energy. Just the opposite. It’s a fossil fuel.
As we enter the new year, let’s welcome our country’s first wave motion project.
In light of the foregone conclusion that 2024 brought on Earth’s hottest average annual surface temperature on record enabled by the ocean’s warmest temperature ever, having another recognized form of clean energy is a blessing.
While reminders of our climate crisis won’t stop this year as evidenced by the Los Angeles wildfires of January and the horrific flooding in the southern states, clean energy expansion will one day eliminate the poisonous greenhouse gas that has embroiled mother nature into disrepair.
Triumphantly, we now have another form of clean energy to add to the team’s momentum, as they shout out, “We Are Unstoppable!”