Wave and Tidal Energy: Technology, Potential, and Consequences
I intend to investigate the various technologies currently being researched as ways of harnessing wave and tidal energy. I will then look into the economics of these various methods, attempting to ascertain the feasibility of implementing any of those technologies. Specifically I will determine if a device to harness wave or tidal energy would be competitive in a market with other sources of energy. Finally, I plan to investigate the environmental consequences of using the ocean to produce energy.
Sources:
- Energy From the Waves: The First-Even Book on a Revolution in Technology (1979) by David Ross
- Power From the Waves: Incorporating and Expanding on Energy From the Waves by the Same Author (1995) by David Ross
- I think it will be interesting to see any shifts in technology or future expectations between these two texts
- Ocean Wave Energy Conservation (1981) by Michael E. McCormick
- This book gives a very analytical apporach to various techniques for harnessing wave energy as well as an in depth look at environmental concerns
- http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy_transport/atlas/htmlu/tidal.html
- This is a European site that discusses current technologies used in wave and tidal energy, their current market status and potential for growth, as well as environmental consequences
- http://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/ocean.html
- U.S. Deperarment of Energy website about different technologies used in wave energy and tidal energy
Posted at Mar 31/2005 02:54 PM:
Peter Saeta: This is a great topic. The other ocean technology is OTEC (ocean thermal energy conversion), but wave/tidal is probably sufficient.
Posted at Apr 15/2005 07:20 AM:
Peter Saeta: So, I wonder if this is really a niche possibility, or whether there is great potential here. Naively, it seems like there might be appreciable environmental consequences, as well. I'm glad you'll be looking into those.
Final paper: 
Wave and Tidal Energy.doc
Final paper (as pdf): Wave and Tidal Energy.pdf
