Ocean waves are being harnessed to provide energy via new technology. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration the estimated potential of energy from ocean waves located off of the U.S. coastlines could equal 66% (2.64 trillion KWH) of how much energy was produced in the U.S. in 2020. Wave power isn't completely new though, Huntington Beach Wharf used to use a contraption to power their lamps back in 1909.

The new technology uses floats that are attached to structures to capture the energy. One company called Eco Wave utilizes hydraulic pistons that are attached to the floaters that are moved by the waves. The pistons have biodegradable fluid in them that builds up pressure in an accumulator located on the shore. That pressure then spins a motor that powers a generator that goes into the power grid. See the process in the diagram below.

Another style of wave energy collection is the Power Buoy. A team from MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) lead by Andy Hamilton designed and is testing a buoy that is anchored in the ocean and collect the vertical motion of waves in a similar process to the other mechanism with floaters. The big difference between the two is the buoys have a disc that is moved up and down by the waves and this in turn moves the pistons. These buoys can be located out in the ocean instead of the shore to help bring power to scientists and others who may be out at sea for long periods of time. See the animated schematic of the buoy to the right.

As these technologies continue to develop these mechanisms can be used to make the power grid cleaner and more renewable. Additionally, despite being in ocean water these devices have proven to be lower cost in maintenance than other renewable energies with one machine still working after 10 years of running continuously.

Eco Wave Power diagram. (n.d.). How it works -Eco Wave Power. Retrieved from https://www.ecowavepower.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/How_It_Works.png.

Fulton-Bennett, K. (2012). Schematic illustration of Mbari’s wave-power buoy. Experimental wave-power buoy survives winter in Monterey Bay. MBARI. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.mbari.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/pbanimation-sml.gif.

How it works. Eco Wave Power. (2022). Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.ecowavepower.com/our-technology/how-it-works/

U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - independent statistics and analysis. Wave power - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (2022, September 23). Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/hydropower/wave-power.php

Vargas, S. (2015, February 4). Experimental wave-power buoy survives winter in Monterey Bay. MBARI. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.mbari.org/experimental-wave-power-buoy-survives-winter-in-monterey-bay/

Wave energy. Ocean Energy Council. (2018). Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.oceanenergycouncil.com/ocean-energy/wave-energy/