Video coming soon
Electricity
Ocean Power
Can the Ocean Power the Future?
Oceans contain vast amounts of energy in their tides, waves, currents and heat. The story of ocean power runs from ancient tidal mills to modern underwater turbines, wave machines and tropical ocean-heat systems. The sea is powerful, predictable and close to many major cities, but also brutally difficult to work with. Better engineering and new innovations could turn its restless movement into dependable clean electricity.
(Illustrated guide coming soon)
1.8overall
How this solution scores
- Impact1 / 5Waves and tides are predictable but can only ever supply a small slice of demand.
- Speed2 / 5Projects can be slow to permit and install.
- Cost1 / 5Among the most expensive electricity being built.
- Readiness2 / 5A handful of pilot projects; no mass market yet.
- Nature3 / 5Low emissions, but local effects on seabed and marine life.
