How Ocean Waves Could Become the Primary Power Source for Our Homes

Harnessing sun and wind for renewable energy has long been our focus, but a vast untapped potential lies in our ocean waves. Similar to how dams use flowing water, the kinetic energy in waves could provide a substantial portion of the United States' energy needs. If utilized, the power of U.S. coast waves could equate to 2.64 trillion kilowatt-hours, covering about 64% of 2021's national utility usage. Especially during winter, when waves are more vigorous, energy yield could be significant.

Introducing the Waveline Magnet: a decade-long innovation in wave energy conversion. Designed like a serpent, this device attaches to the ocean's surface, harmonizing with its motions to reduce wear. Comprising a spine, platforms, levers, and a power takeoff, this system is engineered to capture the ocean's kinetic energy. The power takeoff pumps and pressurizes seawater, effectively converting wave energy into usable power. This was proven in a test off Scotland, where sizable waves generated an impressive 140 gigawatts annually.

However, the marine environment poses challenges. Seawater's corrosive composition, combined with humidity and metal-eating bacteria, can deteriorate equipment rapidly. Despite these hurdles, the drive to harness wave energy remains strong, with innovators working diligently to bring this sustainable energy frontier to life.

[tszyanli]

I am curious how do they keep the spine stable, not moving up and down with the wave just like the platform does? Any ideas why?

[setildes]

Wave power is great except the sea has an almost unbroken track record of breaking wave energy equipment and corroding it until it is scrap. One big storm and most systems are reduced to scrap or shipping hazards

[Nofal.MHamza]

We can extract energy from the movement of cars, for example, or the movement of elephants in the reserve

[LesheLeshe-xbps]

I heave a perfect projekt for wawe energy

[smile]

maybe this can be added at the bottom of the ship

[sharvenkumar]

Wind turbines are damaged if it spins too fast during strong winds

[jacka]

Wave energy is not plannable - better to go with tidal/ocean energy, like Minesto DeepGreen - 28 tonnes turbine @1, 2MW - now powering the grid in Faroe Islands

[SuperDeathbody]

This isn't water energy. This is extracting energy from moon.

[dougaldouglas]

We have been here, done that, failed. Now being introduced again as a teazer

[rodleypumpkins]

For this to even be a useful amount of power you’d have to cover alot of water. Blacking out the sun for creatures below can’t be good. Even if they move. The wind turbines are a bust. They don’t pay them selves off before most of them go out of service. Not to mention most use power/gas/generators.
Then you got solar and batteries You could cover the USA with solar panels and it wouldn’t be enough to power the worlds consumption.
There isn’t enough lithium to go all battery either not to mention that is strip mining to get it using all kinds of diesel and gas powered equipment kind of ironic. Most of those mines are HUGE mile wide step tiers deep into the ground. A lot of the biggest mining companies are out of Canada as well where they have weak envirmental laws so wherever they go they mine up what they need and leave waste behind usually.
You can’t dispose of batteries really and the wind turbines blades at least can’t be disposed of really either they just dig huge holes and doze them into the ground. Wind turbines have irreversibly fucked up migration patterns in areas and were the cause of some big fires.
Batteries, solar, and wind power cannot do what oil and nuclear power does or even coal. We have a lot of oil and diesel is about the most reliable thing we got. Unless they let us start doing more nuclear power plants which takes nearly 20 years to be good and operational.