As tidal wave energy and other forms of alternative energy gain popularity worldwide, more and more programs to train engineers and energy professionals to work with ocean energy are being developed. Both undergraduate and graduate degree programs now exist to train individuals to work in the industry of wave and tidal energy.

In addition to a higher education credential, membership in professional organizations and attendance at conferences are both useful ways to keep your wave and tidal energy education and training current and up-to-date. Because these energy trends are globally significant, organizations and conferences may be international and span many industries in their focus.

Begin your wave and tidal energy education and training through the following avenues:

1. Obtain an undergraduate degree in alternative energy to work with wave energy.
2. Get advanced training in tidal energy with a graduate degree.
3. Learn the most current tidal energy information available with professional organizations and conferences.
   

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Learn about tidal wave energy through an undergraduate degree in alternative energy

As ocean wave power and other alternative forms of energy become more popular topics of research and policy in the United States and around the world, a number of undergraduate programs in renewable energy have been created. Learn about the many aspects of engineering tidal wave energy with an undergraduate degree from one of these newly created programs.

I recommend: Take coursework in solar, wind and ocean energy as part of an undergraduate degree in renewable energy engineering. The Oregon Institute of Technology and Illinois State University are two of the best known programs, while additional degree program options at other universities are being created every year.

Obtain an advanced degree for work in the wave energy industry

For a more advanced education in the business or engineering of wave power generation and other forms of renewable energy, consider an energy graduate degree. A graduate degree provides the opportunity to take more specialized coursework in the business management aspects of the energy industry or specific forms of renewable energy such as tidal energy.

I recommend: The University of Colorado Denver has a Global Energy Management master's degree program for those interested in entering the energy industry in wave or other forms of energy. The University of Dayton offers a master's degree in Renewable and Clean Energy, allowing students to gain a more advanced and in-depth understanding of wave energy and other trends in green energy sources.

Keep your information on tidal energy current with conferences and association memberships

Stay up-to-date on technological and policy trends concerning energy from the ocean, wind and sun by joining a renewable energy association, organization or society. Get training and education at conferences held around the world to initiate global discussions about renewable and sustainable energy resources.

I recommend: Check Alternative Energy for conferences addressing tidal energy areas of interest. FreeEnergyNews.com also provides a list of organizations interested in researching and advocating alternative energy.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Although tidal energy has recently become more popular in the United States, it is used more often in the United Kingdom. Many training programs for working with wave and tidal energy exist in Scotland and Wales. If you have trouble finding education and training opportunities in the United States, consider international options.

If you’re located on a coast anywhere in the world, you have the potential to obtain renewable energy from the ocean. It’s still very early in the development stage and output varies, but you can meet at least part of your power needs.

While most of the of wave power generation technology has been developing in island nations such as Britain or Australia, a few companies in the US are starting to produce wave power generators for use here. There are three methods of generating electricity from ocean energy:

1. Riding wave energy through rotating turbines or oscillating pumps;

2. Harnessing tidal energy as it ebbs and flows through inlets and harbors;

3. Flowing with current energy; one of the most well-known is the Gulf Stream which circulates around the Atlantic.

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Hook up to tidal wave energy on seaboard locations

Wave energy converters enjoy two advantages over other systems. First, because they use the continuous up-and-down motion of waves to generate energy, there is no break in energy production due to the pauses that naturally occur twice in every tidal cycle. Second, as they are built to ride as close to the waves as possible, no superstructures mar up the seaside view, like windmills have to in order to catch the wind.

I recommend: DEXA is one of the only companies with a full-scale wave energy converter. The bioWAVE power system, manufactured by BioPower Systems is anchored to a sea bed, where the swaying motion, like seaweed or kelp, generates electricity. The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter is a semi-submerged, articulated structure composed of cylindrical sections linked by hinged joints supported by wave-induced motion. Hydraulic rams, pump high-pressure fluid through hydraulic motors via smoothing accumulators and these motors drive electrical generators to produce electricity.

Ebb and flow with ocean energy from tidal energy products

Traditional tidal designs combined the technologies of hydroelectric dams and canal lock systems, essentially locking in water during high tide then releasing the dammed water through turbines to rush back out during low tide. New technologies negate the need for such large civil engineering projects and work when the tide comes in and goes out.

I recommend: UEK Corporation has been developing and producing low-impact turbines ("Underwater Electric Kites") since 1981. Contact them for a consultation. Vortex Hydro Energy uses a series of oscillating rods, rather than turbine blades, so it’s even less obtrusive to marine life.

Capture energy from the ocean in steady currents

Rather than wait for tides to ebb and flow, these systems run on the constant current of a flowing body of water. Embedded in the water as stand-alone units or strung together, they also negate the need for a dam.

I recommend: Blue Energy is a vertical axis underwater turbine that you can install anywhere, from a stand-alone unit up to a "tidal fence" producing thousands of megawatts of electricity, for pennies per kilowatt hour. Consult them for more information. Verdant Power also has developed an underwater turbine and has current projects in New York, Seattle and Ontario. Complete their questionnaire to see if this product would be the right fit for your operation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you live near any flowing body of water at least 15 feet deep, run a cost-benefit analysis of an underwater wave power plant, either to offset utilities from the conventional grid or as a backup in case the grid goes down.

With the emergence of wave and tidal energy, key terms will help you understand the latest developments. Vast amounts of untapped energy exist in waves and tides. It is a clean and renewable source of electricity. Compared with other sources we are currently using, the environmental impact is relatively low. The cost per kilowatt hour to maintain production can be as low as a few pennies. Currently, the major obstacle to more widespread use of wave and tidal energy is the cost of constructing equipment that converts the kinetic energy of waves and tides into electrical energy.

Action Steps
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Wave energy converters

Ocean waves are in the form of kinetic energy, or the energy of motion. To generate electrical energy, you need a machine to harness the power from the wave. Wave energy converters are the main equipment that turn surface waves into energy. Some designs attach to the bottom of the ocean, while others stand alone like buoys.

I recommend: The Pelamis Wave Energy website describes its wave energy converter design. Also, check out the AquaBuOY wave energy converter by Finavera Renewables.

Hydroelectric dam

A hydroelectric damn works to turn a turbine by using water flowing from a high elevation to a lower elevation. Large rivers with sharp elevation drops are the ideal locations for hydroelectric dams.

I recommend: The U.S. Geological Survey gives a detailed description explaining how hydroelectric dams work.

Kilowatt hour

Kilowatt hour, abbreviated kWh, is 1000 watts of electricity used in one hour. This is how utilities measure and bill electricity. Beyond construction costs, wave and tidal energy offers a very low cost per kilowatt hour.

I recommend: Michael Bluejay further defines kilowatt hour, and EcoWorld tells more about the costs and future viability of wave and tidal energy.

Underwater electric kites

Low-impact turbines, also called underwater electric kites, sit on the bottom of the ocean and harness wave energy without harming marine life or producing toxic byproducts.

I recommend: UEK Corporation offers full information about the uses of underwater electric kites.

Vertical underwater turbine axis

The vertical underwater turbine axis acts almost like a windmill underwater, with ocean waves turning it rather than wind.

I recommend: Read about the development of a vertical underwater turbine axis at Blue Energy.

Tidal fence

A tidal fence looks like a giant turnstile as it gathers energy from ocean surface waves. It can stretch across a narrow channel or strait.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Energy offers an overview of tidal fences and other equipment used in harnessing tidal energy.

Wave and tidal energy news and trends encompass a wide range of developing technologies in green and renewable energy resources. Because tidal wave energy is produced using underwater turbines placed offshore, ocean energy harnesses the energy potential in existing forces of nature and does not require wide-scale consumption of resources like coal or oil.

Like other renewable energy sources, tidal energy products are a developing technology, so new tidal energy information and trends are coming out all the time. Staying abreast of news and trends in ocean wave power can be highly beneficial, whether you are interested in capitalizing on tidal energy investing or making your company friendlier through supporting green initiatives.

When learning about wave and tidal energy news and trends, consider the following options:

1. Read online news and publications on tidal wave energy;
2. Subscribe to a news feed for the latest developments in wave energy;
3. Join associations and attend conferences for technical news in tidal energy.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about wave and tidal energy news and trends with online articles

A number of renewable energy websites devote substantial space to wave energy news, with articles published regularly to provide information on wave energy technologies, as well as policies and initiatives utilizing tidal energy. Check these news pages frequently to stay current on renewable energy news in the area of wave turbines.

I recommend: Renewable Energy Focus publishes articles on wave and tidal energy news and policies. You can also learn about how tidal energy technology works, in addition to news about how it is being used, from Alternative Energy.

Get wave and tidal energy news sent to you with a convenient news feed

You can ensure that you have access to the latest wave and tidal energy news by subscribing to a news feed for renewable energy sources. Because renewable energy is such a rapidly growing field, and because governments and corporations around the world are adopting green technologies, it can be difficult to keep track of all the relevant news and trends without access to a news feed or newsletter that updates you automatically.

I recommend: Wave energy news feeds are digests of news topics devoted entirely to tidal energy policies and technologies, where you can read summaries or access full stories. Two leading news feeds in this area are Wave and Tidal Energy News Feed and Ocean Renewable Energy.

Stay current on technological developments in ocean energy through annual conferences

A number of international wave energy associations exist that provide forums for discussion, publish relevant news and host annual conferences discussing the developments of the past year and projections for the future. For a more academic or technical approach to tidal energy news, consider joining an association or attending a conference.

I recommend: The European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference is held every year in a different location in Europe, and attracts worldwide audiences. AWATEA, a New Zealand-based organization, also hosts a yearly conference and is a global center for green technologies, particularly ocean energy.