Ocean energy derives from technologies that use the kinetic and thermal energy of seawater - waves or currents for instance - to produce electricity or heat.
Ocean energy systems are still at an early stage of development, with a number of prototype wave and tidal current devices being explored. The theoretical potential for ocean energy easily exceeds present human energy requirements.
How Ocean Energy Work?
The unending movement of waves, currents and tides can be used to produce clean, renewable electricity for our homes, schools, and industries [1]. To harvest the energy from the ocean, special devices are used. To capture the energy, certain parts of these devices move as the water moves, and the movement generates electricity that is then transported to the coast. Buoys and turbines are two examples of devices that can be used to capture the energy from the ocean’s movement.
Advantage and Disadvantage of using Ocean Energy
Advantages of Ocean Energy
Ocean Energy is continuous, renewable, and pollution-free.
Ocean Energy shows very little daily or seasonal variation.
Drawing of warm and cold seawater and returning
The seawater, close to the thermocline, could be accomplished with minimal environmental impact.
Disadvantages of Ocean Energy
Capital investment is very high.
Conversion efficiency is very low about 3-4% due to the small temperature difference between the surface water and deep water
The low efficiency of these plants coupled with high capital cost and maintenance cost makes them uneconomical for small plants.
