How does wave energy work

An oscillating water column is partially lowered into water. It is open below the surface line with a hollow upper part filled with air. The water level within the water column increases and decreases with waves coming in resulting in compression and decompression of air. Wells-turbines are ideal for the purpose of converting this into energy, because the turbines rotate the same way independent of the direction of the airflow. A generator converts this mechanical energy into useful electricity.

The buoyancy unit is floating on the waves or below the water surface, fixed to the bottom, following the vertical movements of the waves up and down. These waves drive a pump that generates electricity.

The power generation of a typical ocean wave energy unit is about 1 MW, but we expect this output to get better along with the wave energy technology.

After several years with low activity around marine energy technologies, the need for renewable energy have pushed the interest for these technologies forward. Some countries have invested more than others when it comes to developing these methods. Britain and Portugal are currently the leading nations when it comes to ocean wave energy conversion, but several other countries are starting to grasp the potential of harnessing wave energy as well.