What Is Wave Energy Technology?

Wave energy is a specific form of ocean energy, and it is also one of the most important energy sources in ocean energy. Its development and utilization are very important to alleviate the energy crisis and reduce environmental pollution. The turbulent wave motion generates huge, eternal and environmentally friendly energy. If the kinetic energy of the waves and other water waves can be fully utilized, the prospect of world energy will be quite broad and bright. ^[1]

Seawater

The waves in the ocean are mainly wind waves, and the energy of the wind comes from the sun, so wave energy is a very good renewable energy source. According to the results of the World Energy Commission's survey, the available wave energy worldwide is 2 billion kW, a considerable amount. At the same time, wave energy also ensures its good developability due to the following advantages ^[1]

Wave energy generation can be divided into two parts: energy harvesting system and energy conversion system.

The role of the acquisition system is to capture wave energy. Its main forms are: oscillating water column type, oscillating float type, pendulum type, duck type, raft type, shrinking ramp type, mussel type and so on. Techniques for increasing the amount of wave energy capture include: wave-focusing technology by diffracting or refracting wave energy, and inertial wave-concentrating technology through system resonance with waves. ^[1]

China has considerable wave energy resources. The content of wave energy in the offshore waters is about 150 million kW, and its developable utilization is about 23 to 35 million kW. In general, there is less north and more south. In terms of geographical location, it is mainly concentrated in the sea areas near Guangdong, Fujian, and Shandong, followed by Jiangsu, Liaoning, Shanghai, and Hebei. The distribution of wave energy is not only related to geographical location, but also has obvious seasonal characteristics. Generally, the power of wave energy is larger in autumn and winter seasons, and smaller in spring and summer seasons. This change is particularly significant near the islands. ^[1]

China's first shore-based wave power station was completed in Shanwei in 2000 and integrated into a 100kV power grid through transmission lines. It entered trial power generation in February 2001 with a maximum power of 100kW. The power station has a variety of automatic protection functions. All protection functions are automatically executed under computer control, which greatly reduces manual intervention and makes wave energy power generation technology practical. It has good social and environmental benefits. At the same time, the 100kW pendulum wave power station researched and constructed by Tianjin Ocean Technology Bureau has been successfully operated in Qingdao. ^[1]