Wave power technology

In order to understand wave power technology, you must first understand the power it requires to produce a single wave. To put it simply, waves are the combination of airstream’s and solar influences that produce an effect on the oceans surface. This effect propels the oceans current to make the water surface actively buckle causing a wave. Waves travel at a rate per kilometer and increases during seasonal transitions. Typically wave rates are at their highest during the winter, particularly during storms.

Scientists have revealed methods of harnessing the power of waves to generate a renewable source of electrical energy. The methods of capturing this power is through wave powered generators. There are three forms of wave power generators Air columns, Hinge or Axis rafts and Hydraulic Devices. These main types of generators can either be shoreline based or free floating and each have their own uniquely designed source of producing and infinite amount of electrical power. All three forms are more commonly employed in the South western regions where the wave potentials are greater.

Air columns also referred to as oscillating water systems are shoreline based generators which are partially submerge under the oceans surface. This generator uses empty shafts to compress or decompress air flow. This air flow is produced by the surge of water under the tubes, which cause air to become trapped within the air columns and thereby causing the trapped air to propel turbines which in turn generates electricity.

Hinge or Axis rafts also known as buoyant mooring devices are more commonly designed as free floating anchored generators. This electrical generating system relies on the resistance and surrender concept, in which a portion of the generator is allowed to move with the flow of waves while the anchored portion of the generator must remain still. The effects of the two operating systems cause friction and thereby creating electrical currents.

A hydraulic or gyroscopic system is found primarily under the waters surface and performs at a deeper depth than the other generators. Although this system functions much like the resistance and surrender concept; it principal role is based upon more resistance that uses the movement of the waves to set in motion fluid within the hydraulic pumps to make electricity.

Although these systems my sound simple, the mechanisms of production for these generators are currently up for debate. While the concept of wave power technology can produce an unlimited supply of renewable energy, the problem for mass production is the cost forecast for future development in a variety of ocean and wave conditions. While the devices currently in use have proven the probability of the systems endurance to harsh ocean conditions, the prediction to produce wave generators has become increasingly difficult since their economical goal is to maintain a low overhead, maintenance and operational cost as well as not to effect the consuming population financially, which will one day rely on its electricity producing capabilities.