What are wave energy devices?
Similarly, where is wave energy used?
Wave energy is produced when electricity generators are placed on the surface of the ocean. The energy provided is most often used in desalination plants, power plants and water pumps. Energy output is determined by wave height, wave speed, wavelength, and water density.
Similarly one may ask, what is wave energy and how does it work?
Wave power is produced by the up and down motion of floating devices placed on the surface of the ocean. In other words, wind produces waves, and then waves produce energy. As the waves travel across the ocean, high-tech devices capture the natural movements of ocean currents and the flow of swells to generate power.
PTO systems have to be adapted to be used in WECs, as the energy flow provided by wave energy is random and highly variable per wave, per day, and per season. As a consequence, air turbines can only reach efficiencies of 50-60%, while hydraulic turbines can reach efficiencies from 70-90%.