Ride the Waves- Energy from the Ocean

You've all heard about windmills & solar panels. But what about the oceans? Two-thirds of the planet is covered by water. Water that is in constant motion. There is R&D being done to harness the immense, clean power contained in the oceans.

According to the DOE, the total power of waves breaking on the world's coastlines is estimated at 2 to 3 million megawatts. In favorable locations, wave energy density can average 65 megawatts per mile of coastline.

Three basic technologies for harnessing the waves are:

• Bobbing floats like on your fishing rod


• Oscillating Water Columns (OWC)


• Tapered Channels (Tapchan Systems)

That is a huge source of clean energy. Read more about it at:
US Department of Energy
European Wave Energy Thematic Network
Full report (502 pages)