Wave energy is a form of ocean power, which involves converting water's kinetic force into electricity. The oldest forms of water power are watermills and dams, converting a stream's flow into work force by the process of hydrokinetics.

While the technique of ocean power is young compared to mills and dams, there already are three main versions of ocean power under development. A variety of information sources exist to explain how these technologies work and how close they are to commercial use.

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Wave energy or wave power

With wave energy or wave power, pumps take advantage of the oscillating motion of waves to generate electricity. Wave energy technology is in various stages of development, and the power generated is limited to coastal areas.

I recommend: AE News Network provides information on how wave power works, from basic theory to current applications.

Tidal energy

Tidal energy is harnessed from the ebb and flow of tides in harbors, estuaries, bays and inlets. Traditionally, harnessing tidal energy has been the least cost-effective method as it requires a dam structure, called a tidal lagoon, to store water as the tides flow in and out.

I recommend: Tech-FAQ explains how tidal energy works, as well as its limitations.

Current energy

Current energy is closer to hydrokinetics than tidal or wave energy. People have been connecting current energy from rivers and streams to turn mills and small dams for centuries. Experts in ocean power believe stronger ocean currents, such as the Gulf Stream, can be tapped to generate energy.

I recommend: RenewableEnergyWorld.com reports on a new project testing the feasibility of generating electricity from deep-sea currents in the Mediterranean.

Attenuator

An attenuator is a long floating structure made of segmented bodies. As waves roll across the underside of the segments, the motion causes flexing where the segments connect. This flexing is transferred into energy by pistons attached to electric generators.

I recommend: The OCS Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Programmatic EIS provides a demonstration of an attenuator in action.

Oscillation

Oscillation refers to the movement of a body of water that is used to make electricity, whether it is the difference between high and low tide or the difference in wave height between crest and trough. This movement is harnessed to move rods and pistons attached to electric generators.

I recommend: Astroleg explains the oscillating process and how various technologies exploit the motion of water.

Turbine

A turbine is a machine consisting of fans or blades attached to a rotor, which are moved by liquid or air passing through. Various companies use a variety of blade configurations attached to a generator to convert hydrokinetic energy into electricity.

I recommend: Verdant Power designs modular turbines that can be installed under water to take full advantage of the water's flow.

Wave and tidal energy information resources are helpful in making us understand the renewable, relatively clean power source of wave and tidal power. From using the wind generated waves to the gravitationally generated tides, oceanic power is cleaner all around than fossil fuels, and it gives us a renewable resource that hopefully will long be with us.

Tidal energy information and wave energy information is a bit trickier to find than traditional energy resources. It's development into more mainstream research has been relatively new in comparison to its fossil fuel and nuclear counterparts. The British government is credited with the first attempt to harness wave power in the 1970s.

To make the most out of wave and tidal energy information resources:

1. Determine if you are looking at tidal and wave energy information resources as an investment opportunity.

2. Ask yourself if you are looking at tide energy reference materials for potential development ideas.

3. Examine wave energy info as an alternate energy method to be taught to your classroom.

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Use wave and tidal energy information resources for the latest news and updates

Wave and tidal energy information resources can be used for background information and to stay informed on the latest developments in the field.

I recommend: The Alternative Energy News site explains that the energy provided can be used in water pumps, desalination plants and power plants. Take a look at the Electric Power Research Institute Ocean Energy Program. There you can find projects, reports and briefings. Take a look at the resources found at Wave Energy Today, a community for professionals who looking at the commercialisation of wave energy. Find out more about tidal energy from Tech-FAQ.

Check out wave and tidal energy information resources from current programs

Find out the latest wave and tidal energy information resources from ongoing and past wave and tidal projects. Some information on wave energy comes from commercial endeavors, while other comes from government backed programs.

I recommend: Take a look at the information on the first U.S. Licensed wave energy project developed by the Idaho National Laboratory. Check out the research being done by the Ocean Wave Energy Company. They are working to develop a product they call the OWEC Ocean Wave Energy Converter. Find out more about wave energy research from Pacific Ocean Wave Energy Research. Check out the wave projects being undertaken by Finavera Renewables, particularly the one in Makah Bay, WA.

Take a look at U.S. government wave energy information resources

The U.S. government is certainly interested in the possibility of wave and tidal power due to the latest oil crunch, so check out what wave energy information resources they have to offer consumers and businesses.

I recommend: Find a wealth of ocean wave energy and ocean wave energy technologies information from the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS. Look into the wave energy that is produced when electricity generators are placed on the surface of the ocean. Check out the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy guide to ocean wave power. Find out about tidal and wave energy from the government's Energy Information Administration.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Wave energy facts and tidal energy information are particularly important to be teaching in schools. As our fossil fuels diminish and our need for foreign oil continues, finding a clean, renewable energy source will not only be profitable to whoever develops it, but it will be critical to our energy existence.

Information about tidal energy is an asset to anyone with an interest in renewable energy. Wave and tidal energy represents a clean, inexhaustible source of electricity. Ocean surface waves create kinetic energy, which can turn a turbine to create electrical currents. The predictable rise and fall of the tides also holds vast amounts of energy.

Although the technology to harness wave and tidal power has been in use since 1966, it's still a very recent development in renewable energy. As technology improves, wave and tidal energy is becoming a more economically viable option to power things. Many government and private agencies focus on renewable energy resources like wave and tidal energy. In the ever-changing world of renewable energy, there are many ways to learn about wave and tidal energy information resources news and trends.

1. Check out workshops for current trends in tidal energy info.

2. Keep up with the latest news from tidal energy information resources.

3. Discover the future trends in wave energy information resources.

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Find workshops featuring current information about tidal energy

Workshops are a great source of expert information on tidal energy. You may attend an in-person workshop or find workshop information online. Either way, it's important to be knowledgeable about current trends in tidal energy. Workshops offer the opportunity to network with others interested in wave and tidal energy.

I recommend: Idaho National Laboratory offers in-depth workshops for wave energy information. Check out the International Network on Offshore Renewable Energy for news on current workshops all over the world. View all presentations from a past tidal energy information workshop online at New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Get the latest news and information on wave energy

Discover the latest wave energy info from worldwide news sources. Internet news resources give you frequent updates, so you can keep up with current and future trends.

I recommend: Read current articles about wave energy at RenewableEnergyWorld.com. Get the latest tidal energy headlines at Alternative Energy News. Check out daily ocean, tidal and wave energy news at EnergyDigger.com.

Learn about future trends in wave and tidal energy information resources

Many coastal areas worldwide have plans for future wave and tidal energy projects. The focus is on low-cost equipment with little or no environmental impact. There are many research and development opportunities in the field of wave and tidal energy. Learn about new and upcoming technologies.

I recommend: Discover future wave and tidal energy projects at Finavera Renewables. Keep up with new developments in wave energy info at Verdant Power. The Ocean Energy Council has news on upcoming technologies for wave and tidal energy.