INTRODUCTION TO OCEAN AND WAVE ENERGY

More than 70% of Earth's surface is covered by oceans which contain two types of energy: mechanical energy from waves and tides and Thermal energy from solar radiations falling on the ocean surface making them the world's largest solar collectors.

Even though the sun affects all ocean activity, tides are driven primarily by the gravitational pull of the moon, and waves are driven primarily by the winds. Wave Energy As ocean waves are created by the interaction of wind with the surface of the sea, waves have the potential to provide an unlimited source of renewable energy. Wave energy can be extracted and converted into electricity by wave power machines. They can be deployed either on the shoreline or in deeper waters offshore. The total power of waves breaking on the world's coastlines is estimated at 2 to 3 million megawatts. In favourable locations, wave energy density can average 65 megawatts per mile of coastline. Three approaches to capturing wave energy are: Float or Pitching Device or buoyant moored device The device floats on or just below the surface of the water and is moored to the sea floor. A wave power machine needs to resist the motion of the waves in order to generate power: part of the machine needs to move while another part remains still. In this type of device, the mooring is static and is arranged in such a way that the waves motion will move only one part of the machine. Electricity is generated from the bobbing or pitching action of a floating object which can be mounted to a floating raft or to a device fixed on the ocean floor. Oscillating Water Columns (OWC) An oscillating water column is a partially submerged, hollow structure that is installed in the ocean. It is open to the sea below the water line, enclosing a column of air on top of a column of water. Waves cause the water column to rise and fall, which in turn compresses and depresses the air column. This trapped air is allowed to flow to and from the atmosphere via a Wells turbine, which has the ability to rotate in the same direction regardless of the direction of the airflow. The rotation of the turbine is used to generate electricity. Hinged contour device Here, the resistance to the waves is created by the alternate motion of the waves, which raises and lowers different sections of the machine relative to each other, pushing hydraulic fluid through hydraulic pumps to generate electricity. A hinged contour device is able to operate at greater depths than the buoyant moored device. These shoreline devices, also called "tapered channel" systems, rely on a shoremounted structure to channel and concentrate the waves, driving them into an elevated reservoir. Water flow out of this reservoir is used to generate electricity, using standard hydropower technologies.

The main problem with wave power is that the sea is a very harsh, unforgiving environment. An economically-viable wave power machine will need to generate power over a wide range of wave sizes, as well as being able to withstand the largest and most severe storms and other potential problems such as algae, barnacles and corrosion. An overview of the status of the wave energy technology developments in the European Union is given on the European commission's website.

Tidal Energy Tidal energy exploits the natural ebb and flow of coastal tidal waters caused principally by the interaction of the gravitational fields of the earth, moon and sun. The coastal water level fluctuates twice daily, alternatively filling and emptying natural basins along the shoreline. The currents flowing in and out of these basins can be exploited to turn mechanical devices to produce electricity. A variant of tidal energy is tidal stream (or marine current) technology. Tidal streams are fast sea currents created by the tides, often magnified by topographical features, such as headlands, inlets and straits, or by the shape of the seabed when water is forced through narrow channels. The technology required to convert tidal energy into electricity is very similar to that used in traditional hydroelectric power plants. Gates and turbines are installed along a dam or barrage that goes across a tidal bay or estuary. When there is an adequate difference in the height of water on either side of the dam, the gates are opened and the hydrostatic head that is created causes water to flow through the turbines, turning a generator to produce electricity. Electricity can be generated by water flowing both into and out of a bay. As there are two high and two low tides each day, electrical generation from tidal power plants is characterised by periods of maximum generation every six hours. Alternatively, the turbines can be used as pumps to pump extra water into the basin behind the barrage during periods of low electricity demand. This water can then be released when demand on the system is at its greatest. This allows the tidal plant to function with some of the characteristics of a pumped storage hydraulic facility. In order to produce practical amounts of electricity, a difference between high and low tides of at least 5 metres is required. The technology used for tidal streams is slightly different to that used in tidal barrages, and is still in its infancy. Tidal stream devices are similar to submerged wind turbines and are used to exploit the kinetic energy in tidal currents. An overview of the status of the tidal energy technology developments in the European Union is given on the European commission's website and that for India is available on the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) website.

Ocean Thermal Energy

Oceans cover of Earth's surface makes them the world's largest solar collectors. The sun's heat warms the surface water a lot more than the deep ocean water, and this temperature difference provides exploitation of ocean thermal energy. Just a small portion of the heat trapped in the ocean could power the world. A process called Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) uses the heat energy stored in the Earth's oceans to generate electricity. OTEC works best when the temperature difference between the warmer, top layer of the ocean and the colder, deep ocean water is about 20C (36F). These conditions exist in tropical coastal areas, roughly between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer. Ocean thermal energy has been effectively used for many applications, including electricity generation. There are three types of electricity conversion systems: closed-cycle, open-cycle, and hybrid. Closed-cycle systems use the ocean's warm surface water to vaporize a working fluid, which has a low-boiling point, such as ammonia. The vapour expands and turns a turbine. The turbine then activates a generator to produce electricity. Open-cycle systems actually boil the seawater by operating at low pressures. This produces steam that passes through a turbine/generator. And hybrid systems combine both closed-cycle and open-cycle systems. Space cooling requirements for onshore buildings applications can be successfully met by direct use of cold sea water from deep sea levels.