How Does Wave Power Work?
Wave power (or wave energy) involves the ability to harness the power of the ocean's waves and use that power to generate electricity, or do other types of useful work.
Much like solar power (solar energy), geothermal power, and wind power (wind energy), wave power is known as a type of renewable energy (green energy) source because nothing is consumed in the process of using wave power.
Wave power is also often confused with tidal power, another type of green power which is generated via the ocean. While wave power uses the actual surface waves which form in the ocean, tidal power takes advantage of the actual ebb and flow of the tides as they move in and out throughout the day.
And in order to harness the power of the waves, an object must be placed in the ocean that is capable of bobbing up and down as the waves pass. As each wave pounds into the object, a power generating device in this case, the object rises and falls in a somewhat elliptical pattern. With each rise and fall, the power generating device will generate power (or energy); much like the wind generates power as it blows against a giant propeller. The amount of power generated from wave power (wave energy) is determined by the height of the waves, how fast the waves move, the length of the waves, and the density of the water where the power generating objects are positioned.
