The movement of water in the world's oceans stores vast amounts of kinetic energy, which can be converted into electricity to power homes, transportation, and industries.
[1] The global potential for marine energy is significant, with estimates suggesting that 20,000 to 80,000 terawatt-hours per year (TWh/y) of electricity could be generated from ocean temperature differences, salinity gradients, tides, currents, waves, and swells.
[4] The oceans are a vast, largely untapped source of energy, including surface waves, fluid flow, salinity gradients, and thermal differences.
This energy source is not easy to understand, as it is not directly occurring in nature in the form of heat, waterfalls, wind, waves, or radiation.
Wave energy potential is greatest between 30° and 60° latitude in both hemispheres on the west coast because of the global direction of wind.
When evaluating wave energy as a technology type, it is important to distinguish between the four most common approaches: point absorber buoys, surface attenuators, oscillating water columns, and overtopping devices.
[8] The wave energy sector is reaching a significant milestone in the development of the industry, with positive steps towards commercial viability being taken.
[9] The backing of major utility companies is now manifesting itself through partnerships within the development process, unlocking further investment and, in some cases, international co-operation.