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Wave power schemes in the future require a large surface on the sea.
Although suggested 35 years ago, wave generators now need development. They could have a load factor of 30 to 40% and here are some of the many developments:-
Buoy generator.
Ocean Power Technology (OPT) say that 10 MW of generators would occupy 0.125 sq km (30 acres.) A wave farm covering 300 sq miles of the pacific could supply all of California's homes and the cost would be competitive.
Each buoy has a steel column which sits vertically in the water, a large circular collar moves up and down the column as the waves pass. Each wave generator converts up and down motion into mechanical energy which drives a generator. Most of the structure is underwater so electrical power is fed to shore via a cable.
Pelarmis
A 'Pelarmis' wave generator consisting of four tubular cylinders connected end to end floats on the ocean surface (looks like a worm 160 meters long.)
Wave induced motion is resisted by hydraulic rams which pump oil into a smoothing accumulator. The latter drains into a hydraulic motor coupled to an electric generator, 75 kW per Pelarmis.
A 40 unit wave farm in the Orkneys (Scotland) will provide up to 3 MW. A larger 20 MW wave farm is being built off Portugal. The long term idea is to expand to 550 MW from wave power off the Portuguese coast.
Orecon wave generator
A 40X40 m structure anchored to sea bed could produce up to 1.5 MW from wave induced oscillating water columns.
'Wave Hub', covering an area 4 X 2 km and 10 km from the coast is planned to provide 60 MW from 2015 from turbines built by Fred Olsen, West Wave (EON) and Ocean Prospect.
Wave Dragon
Waves are funnelled up to the top of a reservoir 16 m above sea level which then flows back via kaplan turbines which drive permanent magnet generators.
CETO wave generator
Passing wave movement moves undersea floats causing pumping of sea water to onshore Pelton wheel with generator. Power is used for local desalination and electrical supply.
Energen are developing a device which operates in waves under the surface near a shore where 'torque tubes' act together as waves pass to pump oil through a hydraulic system to drive a turbine / generator.
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