Wave Energy
Ocean waves are a plentiful energy resource and have the potential to become a significant contributor to electricity generation in many countries.
In common with all the Atlantic margin European Countries, the UK has a world leading wave climate. On the UK coast there is enough wave energy to meet UK energy demands many times over. This does not mean that the UK will one day be powered soley by wave power, but it does illustrate that a small number of key sites will provide a significant contribution to the UK's energy needs.
Waves are created by the action of the wind on the sea. However, they are an excellent energy transport and storage system. Waves can travel great distances quickly, without significant loss of energy, and as a consequence they transport energy thousands of kilometres from windy weather in mid ocean to coastlines.
This also means that wind in a variety of places can create Wave activity for a single wave farm, and the waves also last for a period after they have been created, so the energy resource is available for a high percentage of the time.
Conveniently, the seasonal variation of wave power closely follows the trend for electricity consumption in Western Europe. Wave power is also considered to be a compliment to wind power in smoothing power supply to the national grid.