1 / 15

Wave Energy

Wave Energy. Kate Riley Energy Alternatives Spring 2007. Physical Properties of Waves. Waves are created by wind passing over large bodies of water. Waves are measured by their: Height (H) Wavelength( λ ) Frequency (v) Period (T). Development of Wave Energy.

xena-gross
Download Presentation

Wave Energy

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Wave Energy Kate Riley Energy Alternatives Spring 2007

  2. Physical Properties of Waves • Waves are created by wind passing over large bodies of water. • Waves are measured by their: • Height (H) • Wavelength(λ) • Frequency (v) • Period (T)

  3. Development of Wave Energy • North Atlantic has highest potential • Most development along European coast • Estimated 30GW-80GW in UK alone • Worldwide estimates 2 TW or 17,500TWh/yr

  4. Development of Wave Technology • Leaders in researching and investing in wave technology: • UK • Norway • Japan • Rep. of Ireland • Australia • Indonesia

  5. What does it take? • High average wave energy • Persistent waves • Deep water close to shore (decreases frictional energy loss) • Small tidal range (<1m) • Conducive natural coastline

  6. Does Belize have what it takes? • There is currently no wave technology operating or being researched in Central America • Belize is a poor candidate in spite of having an extensive coastline • Coastline is sheltered by reef and islands • Shallow water is not ideal

  7. Devices are classified by two criteria: Location: fixed to seabed floating offshore tethered …and Orientation: terminators attenuators point absorbers

  8. Oscillating Water Column (OWC) • An artificial gully is constructed • Water acts as a column, rising and falling with the waves • This draws water in and out of the top chamber and acts as a piston to drive the turbine

  9. Tapered Channel (TAPCHAN) • Waves are funneled into a tapered channel • Their height increases until they spill into an elevated reservoir • Water turns turbine as it is returned down the gradient into the ocean

  10. Wells Turbine • Self-rectifying: can accept airflow in either direction • Similar to horizontal-axis wind turbines • Eliminates need for gearbox because of increased speed potential (increases energy captured)

  11. The Ups… • Very small environmental impact • No chemical or noise pollution • Low visibility • Do not interfere with migrating fish • Can create a haven for marine life • Small impact on shipping and marine industries • Floating devices will not impact coastal environment

  12. …and the Downs • May alter coastline and concrete structures must be removed at end of operation • Insignificant amounts of greenhouse gases released • Intermittent resource • Expensive to install and maintain • Damage is frequent due to violent storms • Cables from offshore devices to transmit energy are needed

  13. Is it worth the trouble? • So far most wave technology is theoretical or in the experimental stage • Main costs= installation and maintenance • Devices with high durability and few moving parts are best

  14. ¿Preguntas?

  15. Sources • Boylr, Godfrey. Renewable Energy, Power for a Sustainable Future. London, UK. Oxford University Press. 2004 • http://www.seapower.se/ • http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/01-02/RE_info/wave%20power.htm • http://www.oceansatlas.org/unatlas/uses/EnergyResources/Background/Wave/TAPCHAN.jpg • http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/ene_cou_084.pdf Other Images: • http://americandigest.org/mt-archives/wavejapan2.jpg • http://dode777.jeeran.com/rogue-wave,1.jpg • http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/images/oceanwave.gif

More Related