Is it Possible to Generate Electricity from Sea Waves?
In fact, the first examples of electricity generation from the sea were realized by utilizing tidal waves and studies on this subject are still ongoing. Systems that generate electricity from sea waves are defined as "Wave Energy Converter-WEC" in English.
Energy is increasing its importance in the world on both macro and micro scales. At the macro level, the sharing of energy resources can sometimes bring countries into hot conflicts, while at the micro level, new measures are being added every day to save energy in homes and offices.
Aside from the economic dimension, the use of fossil fuels, nuclear and hydroelectric power plants as energy sources brings along debates on environmental pollution and environmental damage.
Economic and environmental factors are also fueling interest in renewable energy sources. However, most of us think of solar and wind energy when we think of renewable energy. We are slowly getting used to seeing solar panels used in electricity generation on the roofs of large buildings and even on the balconies of houses. We are also used to seeing windmills spinning like Don Quixote's windmills in the distance on our intercity travels.
In this article, I will talk about electricity generation from sea waves, one of the lesser-known renewable energy sources. In fact, the first examples of electricity generation from the sea were realized by utilizing tidal waves and studies on this subject are still ongoing. Systems that generate electricity from sea waves are defined as "Wave Energy Converter-WEC" in English.
The technologies of systems that generate electricity from sea waves can be classified under several headings. Of course, there are also systems that fall outside of these. Briefly, these technologies are as follows:
1) Systems called Point Absorber:
These are floating systems that absorb energy in all directions with their movement in the sea. They convert the movement of the buoy towards the bottom and surface into electrical energy.
Point Absorber Wave Energy Conversion System
Oscillating Wave Motion Energy Conversion System
2) Systems called Oscillating Wave Surge Converter:
They convert the oscillating motion of the surface perpendicular to the seabed with the wave effect into electrical energy.
3) Systems called Surface Attenuator:
They generate electricity through hydraulic pumps as a result of the flexing motion caused by waves.
Surface Attenuator Wave Energy Conversion System
Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Conversion System
4) Systems called Oscillating Water Column:
They generate electricity with turbines driven by air compressed by wave motion.
5) Systems called Overtopping Devices:
As the water in the reservoir filled with waves descends to lower levels, they generate electricity, as in hydroelectric power plants.
Overtopping Device Wave Energy Conversion System
6) Systems called Submerge Pressure Differentials:
They generate electricity with the flow created by pumps operating with the pressure difference caused by the up and down movement of the waves.
Submerge Pressure Differential Wave Energy Conversion System
As I mentioned above, there are systems that generate electricity in sea waves with different technologies outside of this classification and research on this subject is still ongoing.
It is expected that a total of 653 billion Euros will be invested with 53 billion Euros every year until 2050 in order to obtain energy from the seas. Considering that the world's annual potential wave energy is 34.5 Tera Watt Hours (TWh), it is understood that this investment is justified.
Countries such as France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, the Netherlands, the UK and Canada have various support mechanisms for electricity generated from the sea.
As a result, it is considered that it would be beneficial for our country, which is surrounded by seas on three sides, to consider electricity generation from sea waves within the scope of renewable energy resources, and in addition to increasing the support for the development of technologies in this field, legislation and regulations on the subject should be made urgently.
References:
https://www.emec.org.uk/marine-energy/wave-devices/
www.3eelectrotech.com.tr/arsiv/yazi/turkiyede-kullanilabilecek-dalga-enerjisi-donusturuculerinin- belirlenmesi-ve-analizi
www.enerji.gov.tr/tr-TR-Sayfalar/Temiz-Enerji
EUR 29924 EN European Commission Ocean Energy Technology Market Report
