WAVE ENERGY

How does Wave Energy Work?
Their are several methods of getting energy from waves. One way is at a wave power station, the waves arriving cause the water in the chamber to rise and fall, which means that air is forced in and out of the hole in the top of the chamber, then someone places a turbine in the hole which is turned by the air rushing in and out, the turbine turns a generator.

HOW CAN WAVE ENERGY BE USED?

• It can be used in desalination plants, power plants, and water pumps.
• Energy output is determined by wave height, wave speed, wave length, and water density.

EXAMPLES OF ITS CURRENT USE

• It keeps lights on
• Powers up life-saving hospital equipment
• Provides electrical power for you to use the computer

EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRMENT

• Wave energy devices will remove energy from the ocean, making less available for natural processes at the site.
• Wave energy arrays will introduce many large hard structures creating new and different habitat types.

Is it widely accepted? Why or why not?
Due to growing technological advances transportation of energy is becoming more common and therefore has the potential to making this form of technology more widely accepted.

Positives: It is renewable, environmental friendly, no damage to land, the energy is free, no fuel needed, no waste produced, not expensive to operate and maintain, and it can produce a great deal of energy.
Negatives: Depends on waves, sometimes you'll get loads of energy but sometimes almost nothing, it needs a suitable site where waves are constantly strong, some designs are noisy, and it must be able to withstand rough weather.