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Emerging Technologies

Wave energy converters

  • 3 things to know
  • A2 1

Overview

Point absorbers, attenuators and Pelamis, oscillating water columns and overtopping devices, surviving storms, the predictability of wave output, Atlantic coasts, and offshore against shoreline siting.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is a wave energy converter?

Process

How does a point absorber work?

Process

How does an attenuator work?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a wave energy converter?

    Model answer

    A wave energy converter is a device that turns the motion of ocean waves into electricity. Waves carry energy that has been transferred from the wind.

  2. 2

    How does a point absorber work?

    Model answer

    A point absorber is a floating buoy that moves up and down with the waves. The motion drives a generator or hydraulic system anchored to the sea bed.

  3. 3

    How does an attenuator work?

    Model answer

    An attenuator is a long, jointed floating device that lies parallel to the direction of the waves. The flexing joints pump fluid through hydraulic motors that drive generators.

  4. 4

    What was Pelamis?

    Model answer

    Pelamis was an attenuator made of several linked cylindrical sections, resembling a sea snake. Pelamis Wave Power, the Scottish company behind it, went into administration in 2014.

  5. 5

    Compare a point absorber with an attenuator.

    Model answer

    A point absorber is compact and captures energy from waves arriving in any direction. An attenuator is long and captures energy as waves pass along its length.

  6. 6

    Why must wave energy converters be designed to survive storms?

    Model answer

    Storm waves carry far more energy than the average waves a device is built to harvest. A device must shed extreme loads or be damaged.

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