Here are some wave power facts:
Wave power or wave energy is the process of harnessing the ocean waves’ power. This power basically comes from the winds that cause the waves in the ocean; the wind comes from the different varying heat temperatures all over the world and the earth’s uneven surface. Wave energy is one of the cleanest alternative sources of energy and is renewable and safe to use. It is different from tidal energy which uses the natural ebb and flow of the ocean to get energy. The method of harnessing energy from the waves are different and if you want to know more about that, we have just the right type of information for you. This would save you the headache of figuring things out yourself which is quite an impossible feat, unless you are a genius. So all you have to do right now is read this article and by the moment you finish reading this article, you will have a general view of how wave energy works through these wave power facts.
How do you harness the energy from the ocean waves? Here’s how:
- The waves might look like it moves in one single movement and direction, but it doesn’t move like that but rather, the water molecules moves in an ellipse pattern. This elliptical movement of water is where we get the wave energy.
- Harnessing this energy is done by using devices. One popular device is the Polaris wave energy converter. This is located in Scotland. It is the first device that was successful in producing energy from the waves. This device works through the several metal cylinders that are connected through hinges. When the wave moves, the different cylinders move as well and these hinges are connected to hydraulic rams that pump oil through hydraulic motors. This then drives the electrical generator to produce electricity. This is then sent to the shores through the use of a single cable. The electricity is then collected in a wave energy farm to be then distributed.
There re other methods of harnessing wave energy. There are some methods like using buoys that float on the surface. These buoys convert the wave energy into mechanical and then electrical energy.
There are also several disadvantages when you use wave energy. Because it is generated from the waves, it is also as unpredictable as the ocean waves. This unpredictability is caused by the skimming over of wind on the surface of the ocean. And also energy generators that are fixed to the seafloor could cause disturbances to the natural flow of the marine ecosystem, although the effect to the natural marine habitat is not yet known, one thing that they are sure of is that it would have a negative effect on it.
So now that you know this information, you now have a very clear idea of how energy is gathered from the ocean waves through the help of our wave power facts.