Forms of ocean energy Marine energy

1 forms of ocean energy

1.1 renewable

1.1.1 marine current power
1.1.2 osmotic power
1.1.3 ocean thermal energy
1.1.4 tidal power
1.1.5 wave power


1.2 non-renewable

forms of ocean energy
renewable

the oceans represent vast , largely untapped source of energy in form of surface waves, fluid flow, salinity gradients, , thermal.

marine , hydrokinetic (mhk) or marine energy development in u.s. , international waters includes projects using following devices:

wave power converters in open coastal areas significant waves;
tidal turbines placed in coastal , estuarine areas;
in-stream turbines in fast-moving rivers;
ocean current turbines in areas of strong marine currents;
ocean thermal energy converters in deep tropical waters.

marine current power

strong ocean currents generated combination of temperature, wind, salinity, bathymetry, , rotation of earth. sun acts primary driving force, causing winds , temperature differences. because there small fluctuations in current speed , stream location no changes in direction, ocean currents may suitable locations deploying energy extraction devices such turbines.

ocean currents instrumental in determining climate in many regions around world. while little known effects of removing ocean current energy, impacts of removing current energy on farfield environment may significant environmental concern. typical turbine issues blade strike, entanglement of marine organisms, , acoustic effects still exists; however, these may magnified due presence of more diverse populations of marine organisms using ocean currents migration purposes. locations can further offshore , therefore require longer power cables affect marine environment electromagnetic output.

osmotic power

at mouth of rivers fresh water mixes salt water, energy associated salinity gradient can harnessed using pressure-retarded reverse osmosis process , associated conversion technologies. system based on using freshwater upwelling through turbine immersed in seawater, , 1 involving electrochemical reactions in development.

significant research took place 1975 1985 , gave various results regarding economy of pro , red plants. important note small-scale investigations salinity power production take place in other countries japan, israel, , united states. in europe research concentrated in norway , netherlands, in both places small pilots tested. salinity gradient energy energy available difference in salt concentration between freshwater saltwater. energy source not easy understand, not directly occurring in nature in form of heat, waterfalls, wind, waves, or radiation.

ocean thermal energy

water typically varies in temperature surface warmed direct sunlight greater depths sunlight cannot penetrate. differential greatest in tropical waters, making technology applicable in water locations. fluid vaporized drive turbine may generate electricity or produce desalinized water. systems may either open-cycle, closed-cycle, or hybrid.

tidal power

the energy moving masses of water — popular form of hydroelectric power generation. tidal power generation comprises 3 main forms, namely: tidal stream power, tidal barrage power, , dynamic tidal power.

wave power

solar energy sun creates temperature differentials result in wind. interaction between wind , surface of water creates waves, larger when there greater distance them build up. wave energy potential greatest between 30° , 60° latitude in both hemispheres on west coast because of global direction of wind. when evaluating wave energy technology type, important distinguish between 4 common approaches: point absorber buoys, surface attenuators, oscillating water columns, , overtopping devices.

the wave energy sector reaching significant milestone in development of industry, positive steps towards commercial viability being taken. more advanced device developers progressing beyond single unit demonstration devices , proceeding array development , multi-megawatt projects. backing of major utility companies manifesting through partnerships within development process, unlocking further investment and, in cases, international co-operation.

at simplified level, wave energy technology can located near-shore , offshore. wave energy converters can designed operation in specific water depth conditions: deep water, intermediate water or shallow water. fundamental device design dependent on location of device , intended resource characteristics.

non-renewable

petroleum , natural gas beneath ocean floor considered form of ocean energy. ocean engineer directs phases of discovering, extracting, , delivering offshore petroleum (via oil tankers , pipelines,) complex , demanding task. centrally important development of new methods protect marine wildlife , coastal regions against undesirable side effects of offshore oil extraction.