Harnessing Energy from

Waves & TidesBy: Evelyn Mahony

Ms. LezaMarine Biology Pr. 4

5 February 2013

Energy Available

There is about 2.7 x 10^12 watts of energy available in waves . . .

2,700,000,000,000

Or 3000x the generating capacity of the Hoover Dam

3 WaysWaves can lift

Waves can push back and forth

Rising of waves could compress air

Tidal FluctuationsDam a bay/estuary

Let in high tide

At low tide water turns turbines

7 meters need to be efficient

Ebb & Flood of TidesDam an estuary/bay

When water is released back to the sea there will be extra pumps that expend energy but will create a more efficient system

Gates closed until tide rises, allow water in

More likely to generate more energy

SystemsThese systems are cost effective

Few places in the world have the required tidal range

Bays/estuaries are not always near a populated center

Costs of installation & distribution and tidal schedules make it expensive compared to other sources of energy