Marine Renewable Energy (Ocean Energy)

Introduction

What is required:

• renewable sources of power

• methods that do not cause pollution

Wave energy

Advantage:

• waves offer a  supply of renewable power.

• Electricity may be produced by offshore or onshore installations.

• An onshore installation can use a reservoir.

Problems:

• wind can send waves in any .
• the movement of sand and sediment across the ocean  may be disrupted.

Tidal energy

Proposed tidal lagoon in Wales:

• would be located in a  at Swansea.

• a breakwater containing sixteen turbines would surround the water.

• the incoming tide would force water through the turbines to generate electricity.

• stored water would be released when the  opened, turning the turbines in reverse.

Advantages:

• operation would not depend on the weather.

• the turbines would need no .
• manufacturing the components would create many .

Possible problem:

• fish and birds could be harmed through disruption to  and a build-up of silt.

Ocean thermal energy conversion

• Uses the temperature difference between surface water and deep water.

• Cold water is brought to the surface through a pipe.