Wave Power

Question 1

Wave power

Answer 1

A method of generating electricity using the vertical movement of water caused by winds blowing over the water surface.

Question 2

Features of Wave Energy

Answer 2

Intermittent, unpredictable, local constraints,

Question 3

Requirements for wave power

Answer 3

high and consistent wind velocities, an area of open water or long fetch

Question 4

Types of wave energy technologies

Answer 4

Point absorber, Overtopping device, Oscillating wave surge converter, Surface attenuator, Oscillating water column

Question 5

Point absorber

Answer 5

floating structure rises and falls as waves pass with a fixed base. The moving float turns a generator

Question 6

Overtopping device

Answer 6

breaking waves force water into a storage reservoir, higher than sea level. Water flows back into the sea through a turbine

Question 7

Oscillating wave surge converter

Answer 7

oscillating horizontal and vertical movement of the waves pushes a flat plate which moves pistons and pumps fluid over a turbine to produce electricity

Question 8

Surface attenuator

Answer 8

hinged floating device, sections move independently to each other and push and pull pistons and force fluid through a turbine to generate electricity.

Question 9

Oscillating water column

Answer 9

the rise and fall of water in a submerged chamber forces air in and out and turns turbines to generate electricity

Question 10

Problems with equipment design

Answer 10

need to be resistant to corrosion, difficult to anchor equipment in deeper water, generation can be some distance from end user

Question 11

Environmental impacts of wave power

Answer 11

Limited environmental impacts - some embodied energy in equipment, some habitat loss