Wave
generatorsWave Energy for commercial applications is a relatively new technology. Since the early development of the 1970s and 1980s a wide variety of devices and concepts has been devised to tap this vast energy resource. Although most of these devices haven't passed the initial design stage, many have been the object of detailed Research and Development and several have been deployed as prototypes or development schemes. Substantial progress has emerged in the last few years from the effort of a number of SMEs and Research groups with the support of public and private funds. A review of the economics of these devices has lead to promising predictions, showing that some wave generators should already be competitive in niche markets.
Europe has now to realise the full potential of nearshore and offshore wave energy with large scale developments. Survivability, performance and reliability are amonst the issues that need to be resolved to ensure the success of Wave Energy.
Recent studies conducted by a number of european consortia have established that tidal currents also represent an equally large potential energy resource. Several demonstration and research projects are now under way accross Europe. The objective is again to assess and demonstrate the economic viability of the technology.
The purpose of this section is to showcase some of the recent Research and Technology Development programmes in both wave and tidal stream energy and existing Ocean Energy Generators.