Harnessing ocean waves: A new source of electricity
Overview of coastal renewable energy technology that uses wave action to generate electricity.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzLearn about lightning and thunder.
-
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division, Washington, D.C.Strip Kinetograph recording of Fred Ott sneezing, 1894.
-
© MinutePhysics (A Britannica Publishing Partner)The properties of electromagnetic fields and waves.
-
Thomas Edison, seen late in life in this video, was the most famous inventor in American history. Though he is best known for his invention of the phonograph and incandescent electric light, Edison took out 1,093 patents in a variety of fields, including electric light and power, telephony and telegraphy, and sound recording. His public image as a homespun, untutored genius actually concealed a thinker who was quite systematic and methodical and who collaborated closely with machinists, designers, and scientists in his laboratory at Menlo Park, N.J.
Transcript
Humans have long enjoyed ocean waves for their beauty and fun.
But soon, ocean waves might be harnessed to generate electricity! As waves roll over the ocean floor, there’s an energy transfer from water to mud.
The loss of energy dampens the water’s waves. But the mud--the absorbing medium-- moves as the absorbed wave energy travels through it.
What if there was a different medium to absorb that wave energy...one that could convert it to electricity? There is!
Scientists developed a flexible carpet to lay on top of the mud.
As waves roll overhead, the carpet absorbs the energy and undulates.
As it moves up and down, the carpet compresses hydraulic pumps. These pumps generate hydraulic pressure, sending ocean water to the shore.
There, it can be converted into electricity. Although currently in the testing stage--if successful--these carpets could provide 10 percent of the world’s electricity!
But soon, ocean waves might be harnessed to generate electricity! As waves roll over the ocean floor, there’s an energy transfer from water to mud.
The loss of energy dampens the water’s waves. But the mud--the absorbing medium-- moves as the absorbed wave energy travels through it.
What if there was a different medium to absorb that wave energy...one that could convert it to electricity? There is!
Scientists developed a flexible carpet to lay on top of the mud.
As waves roll overhead, the carpet absorbs the energy and undulates.
As it moves up and down, the carpet compresses hydraulic pumps. These pumps generate hydraulic pressure, sending ocean water to the shore.
There, it can be converted into electricity. Although currently in the testing stage--if successful--these carpets could provide 10 percent of the world’s electricity!