Wave Energy

Waves result from the inferaction of the wind with the surface of the sea and represent a transfer of energy from the wind to the sea, The amount transferred depends on the wind speed, the distance over which it interacts with the water, and the length of time for which it blows. The largest concentraction of potential wave energy is located between the 40 and 60 latitudes in both the northern and southern hemispheres.Wave power systems convert the motion of the waves into usable mechanical energy which in lum can be used to generate electricity. These systems can be floating or fixed to the seabed offshore, or may be constructed at the edge on a suitable shoreline.

Wave energy is being extensively researched in several industrial countries, particularly Japan, Norway, U.K. and U.S.A.In India the research and development activity for exploring wave energy started at the Ocean Engineering Centre, Indian Institute of Technology. Madras in 1982 Primary estimates indicate that the annual wave energy potential along the Indian coast is between 5 MW to 15 MW per meter.

Hence theoretical potential for a coast line of nearly 6000 KW works out to 60000 MW approximately. However, the realistic and economical potential is likely to be considerably less.Various wave energy systems are now being studied. Theoretical and experimental work is in progress on the optimisation of various system components. An oscillating water column device has been designed and tested at the IIT, Madras, in laboratory conditions. An experimental energy power plant of 150 MW capacity is going to be installed at Vizhinjam beach near Trivandrum in Kerala.