With the increasing need for energy generation, exploring renewable sources has become imperative. Today, technology has found a way to extract energy from the naturally inexhaustible force of ocean waves. This has emerged as a promising option because the oceans cover 70 % of the globe. In this blog, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of wave energy to understand if it is worth using.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wave Energy
It is a type of renewable energy used as an alternative to traditional sources, like fossil fuels. This energy includes the motion of waves captured through wave energy converters and then transformed into electric energy.
Let us take a look at the pros and cons of wave energy sources.
| Pros | Cons |
| Emits zero greenhouse gases | Initial costs are higher |
| Best use of renewable resources | Disturbs marine life has an environmental impact |
| Has the potential to generate energy | Inconsistent wave behavior because of wind |
| Consistent and reliable | Limited to certain geographical locations |
| Low maintenance and operational costs | Marine traffic is disrupted |
| Can be operated offshore | Natural scenic beauty can impact |
Now, let us go through the benefits and drawbacks of wave energy in detail.
Benefits of Wave Energy
Some of its major advantages are:
1. Zero Emissions: As it is 100% based on oceanic tides, the energy emits zero greenhouse gases or contaminants, unlike fossil fuels. If this tidal model grows, it will join the umbrella of solar power, geothermal, wind turbines, and hydropower.
2. Renewable Resource: As far as the ocean exists, there shall be waves. There will be no expiry for tides; hence, this is one of the best renewable sources nature offers. Fossil fuels may run out at some point, but we can always count on wave energy.
3. Potential for Energy: The waves globally along the coastline can generate electricity in major regions. The worldwide electricity-generating potential of the waves is estimated at 2 terawatts. In the US, just 10% of potential wave energy would supply electricity to 13 million homes.
4. Reliable Source of Energy: Relying on certain sources may only meet expectations sometimes; for example, winds are not always constant in the case of wind power. But waves are always in motion. However, the amount of power transported may vary as it may change from season to season as there will be gravitational pull by the moon.
5. Predictable Source of Energy: Compared to alternative energy sources, wave power is highly predictable. This can be forecasted and monitored accordingly. For example, take the case of solar and wind energies, which have often been inconsistent because of weather changes.
6. Low Operational and Maintenance Costs: For fossil fuels, there is always an existing extraction and transportation process, but wave power is different. Once the initial investment is made in infrastructure, the functioning and maintenance costs are lower.
7. Lower Imports of Oil: There will be no dependency on oil from other countries for energy needs. Because many countries may not have oil but have seashores.
8. Abundant Source of Electricity: On the world’s coastline, which is around 8,00,000 kilometers long, the energy density is around 30 kilowatts per minute, and the estimated potential to produce electricity is around 500 gigawatts. This means 40% of energy from waves can be converted into electrical power.
9. Size is a Benefit: Fossil fuel energy setup requires large areas, despite local energy demands in that location. On the other hand, wave power can be established as per the local electrical needs and can be produced in various sizes.
10. Creation of New Jobs: As the wave power sector is a technology, it needs skilled technicians for its establishments. For operations, these would require a plethora of jobs like engineers, technicians, and managers.
Also Read: Harnessing Ocean’s Energy With Spine-Like Wave Energy Converter
11. Many other Versatile Perks
- Irrigation: For agricultural purposes, wave power can be used to pump and supply water.
- Desalination: In the regions where fresh water is limited, desalination plants are established to convert salt water to fresh water. This wave power can be an added advantage for these plants.
- Offshore Energy Production: Planning these power plants offshore has a chance of increasing wave potential too. However placing a plant offshore is costly, hope the technology improves and makes it affordable.
- For Industries: This energy form can be supplied to various industries, like hydrogen production plants.
- Marine transportation: The sea vessels and ships can depend on wave power to reduce their carbon footprint
- Tourism attraction: The word beach itself sounds fun! Having water parks and other fun activities powered by wave energy can support tourism in the future.
Cross-reference: Can ocean power solve the global energy crisis?
Drawbacks of Wave Energy
Some of its major limitations are:
1. High Initial Costs: The capital costs of the buildings and infrastructure like offshore transmission lines and platforms are high. The cost of repairing the machinery or damaged equipment is also not abundantly available on the market. As these projects are in the research phase, developments are needed for their economic usage.
2. Negative Environmental Impact: It may be called clean energy, but there is a risk of disturbing marine ecosystems. Marine life can be harmed or may displace their habitat if not maintained properly. The sounds of the machines disturb the sea floor, so careful installations and measures are to be taken to minimize these effects.
3. Scalability Issue: Another limitation is that no energy company is currently able to build wave farms because they are not big enough to generate that kind of energy. Only some of the wave energy systems have undergone tests in Scotland, Spain, Hawaii, and Australia for a maximum of 1.5MW power stations.
4. Wavelength Impact: Some rare areas may have this inconsistent wave behavior because of the wind directions. But wave power needs a regular flow of powerful waves.
5. Geographical Constraints: The energy consumers are region-specific like near-coastal or coastal regions with strong waves. But for inland people, there could be neither accessibility nor grid connectivity. The quality of the waves also differs from region to region; southern seas and the Indian Ocean have some of the strongest waves in the world.
Cross-reference: Geographical Distribution of Waves
6. Disturbs Marine Traffic: These establishments can be a source of disturbance for commercial vessels. The infrastructure built on the coastlines could intrude into the lives of the population in the cities there. The harbors with cargo ships and cruise ships may also be disrupted.
7. Visual impact: Oceans are offspring of nature, which creates a pleasing view for the spectators. These large generators and machines in the ocean would be a distraction from the natural beauty.
The advantages of wave energy include electricity generation with zero emissions, and its predictable nature holds great promise for sustainable energy. On the other hand, drawbacks such as high initial costs, and geographical limitations need to be addressed with technical upgradations. To explore more such interesting topics, keep reading our blog posts.
Recommended: 10 Ocean Energy Advantages and Disadvantages
