Wave Power

The power of the waves is readily visible on nearly every ocean shore in the world.  There has been much research to harness the power of  wave action, and various machines have now been developed to that end.  These fall generally into three categories:

First, machines which channel waves into constricted cavities.  As the waves flow in and out of the chamber they force air in and out of the opening also.  This airflow is in turn channeled through a specialized turbine which is used to drive a generator.  This type of machine is principally designed for use on or near the shore, or for incorporation into breakwaters.  Commercially, machines of this architecture are the most advanced and are particularly advantageous when integrated into coastal protection. 

Second, fixed or semi-fixed machines which utilize the pressure differential in the water that occurs at a submerged point as the wave passes over that point.  The pressure differential is used by a variety of means to cause a fluid to flow in a circuit which is then used to drive a turbine and generator.

Third, machines which utilize their buoyancy to cause locomotion in a part of the device as it moves up and down in the waves.  The movement is used either directly or indirectly to drive a generator.