Wave Power
By: Janet
Rodriguez
Wave Power
is the transport of energy by ocean surface waves, and capturing that energy to
do useful work like electricity generation, water desalination, or the pumping
of water into reservoirs. The machine used to exploit wave power is known as a
wave energy converter. People have tried to widely employ this form of
technology since 1890 and have been unsuccessful. The first experimental wave
farm was opened at the Agucadoura Wave Park, in Portugal, in 2008. The way this
form of energy generator works is straight forward and very reasonable. The
waves produced by the wind contain energy that transferred from the wind to the
waves. However, energy will only be present if the waves made are slower that
the speed of the wind. In order for this type of energy generation system to
work there needs to be wind, waves and some sort of energy absorber. Energy
absorbers include an Oscillating Water Column, a Surface-following Attenuator
(Line Absorber), or a Buoyancy Unit/Point Absorber. All of these energy
absorbers include different ways into converting the wave energy into
electricity. 
Some side-effects to wave power include that they are very costly,
noisy and could harm the marine life. Many people that live on where wave power
plants are located, complain about the amount of noise that is produced. When
starting a wave power plant the costs are really high and a risk if the plant
doesn’t succeed. The energy absorbers cause many problems with different
species. Birds and other animals are always running into them and getting
injured or dying. The PTC provides a tax credit for the production of
electricity and the profit of that electricity to an unrelated party. The
movement and distribution of this energy is not to complex. The height and
speed of the wave are recorded and the amount of energy that comes out would be
in units known as Kilowatts (kW).
Wave Power
cannot be used of grid because of its complex energy conversion. It could be
useful for transportation, if you need to charge something electrical. Like a
scooter, car, etc. This type of energy has a centralized system. All of the
power relies on the waves. Without waves energy wouldn’t be able to turn into electricity
to produce power.
There are many
obstacles for this form of energy generation to be adopted. The initial cost to
start a wave power station in very expensive. The machines are also expensive
to repair, fix and maintain. And sea life can end up getting really affected by
them. People also say that they are too noisy and drive people away from the location.
The government could go observe the wave power stations in Brazil and see how
they work. They also see their efficiency, qualities and how much is produced. I feel that if they see how effective and enhancing this come of energy conversion is, more people will start to adopt it.
Sources Sited:
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