Wave power is the transport of energy by ocean surface waves and capture of that energy to do useful work: electricity generation, water desalination, or pumping of water.

Waves are generated by wind passing over the surface of the sea. As long as the waves propagate slower than the wind speed just above the waves, there is an energy transfer from the wind to the waves. Both air pressure differences between the upwind and the lee side of a wave crest, as well as friction on the water surface by the wind shear stress causes the growth of the waves.

Pelamis Wave Energy Converter in Scotland

These are some of the challenges to deploying wave power devices:

- There is an extremely large fluctuation of power in the waves.

- The device has to efficiently convert wave motion into electricity. Generally speaking, wave power is available in low-speed, high forces, and the motion of forces is not in a single direction. Most readily available electric generators operate at higher speeds, and most readily available turbines require a constant, steady flow.

- The total cost of electricity is high.

There are several methods of getting energy from waves. One of them works like a swimming pool wave machine in reverse.

Energy output is determined by wave height, wave speed, wavelength, and water density. To date there are only a handful of experimental wave generator plants in operation around the world.

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REFERENCES:

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_power

2) http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/wave.htm

3) http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/wave-power/

4) http://earthsci.org/mineral/energy/wavpwr/wavepwr.html

5) http://www.virginmedia.com/images/wavepower.jpg

IMAGE:

Name- Pelamis at EMEC
Source- http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pelamis_at_EMEC.jpg
Image has been released into the public domain

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