Wave and Tidal Energy Overview
17 Questions
1 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Wave energy is a form of concentrated solar energy.

True

What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans?

71%

Which of these is NOT a factor hindering the deployment of wave energy converters (WECs)?

  • Concomitant high costs
  • Abundant availability of wave power (correct)
  • A number of other factors
  • Lack of maturity in the technology

    • What is the name of the company behind the Ocean Energy Buoy Ireland?

    <p>Ocean Energy Buoy Ireland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Wave-activated bodies (WABs) or oscillating body converters (OBCs) are a simpler technology compared to OWCs.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does PTO stand for in the context of wave energy?

    <p>Power Take Off</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT an advantage of oscillating body converters?

    <p>Their simplicity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of WEC does the OPT PowerBuoy employ?

    <p>Wave-activated Body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism used by SeaBased for power take off?

    <p>Directly driven linear generator</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between barrages and lagoons in tidal energy systems?

    <p>Lagoons are offshore, while barrages are in estuaries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Tidal range energy is highly dependent on weather conditions.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a common type of tidal energy system?

    <p>Tidal current</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the acronym for tidal stream turbines?

    <p>TSTs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Tidal stream turbines require the storage of water.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum theoretical efficiency of a tidal stream turbine according to Betz's Law?

    <p>59.3%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these challenges is NOT faced by tidal stream turbines?

    <p>Low maintenance requirements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Vertical axis turbines are the most common type used in tidal stream energy applications.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Wave and Tidal Energy

    • Wave energy originates from solar energy, concentrating wind energy into waves.
    • The global wave power resource is estimated at 32,000 TWh per year.
    • Wave energy conversion devices (WECs) have a similar history to wind energy in the 1980s.
    • Wave energy is plentiful along coastlines.
    • High costs and technological maturity hinder current development.

    Wave Energy Converters

    • Oscillating Water Columns (OWC): These devices use a semi-submerged chamber to trap air, which moves in response to waves, creating a continuous air flow that drives a turbine.
      • Fixed or floating structures.
        • Pico OWC
        • Oceanlinx
        • Mutriku
    • Wave Activated Bodies (WABs): These devices use either floating or submerged bodies that move with the waves to generate power.
      • Typically more complex than OWCs.
        • WaveRoller
        • Oyster
        • Pelamis
        • Carnegies CETO
    • Overtopping: These devices use reservoirs that fill with water when waves overtop them, using the resulting potential energy to drive turbines.
      • Fixed or floating structure.
        • WaveDragon
        • SSG
    • Point Absorbers: These devices capture energy from the waves with a single point.
      • OPTs PowerBuoy

    The Wave Resource

    • Many wave types exist in the ocean, driven by different mechanisms and characterized by different properties.
    • Wind waves are one category of significant waves.
    • The term wave energy refers specifically to wind waves.

    Linear Wave Theory

    • In linear wave theory, the displacement of the free surface can be determined using a sinusoidal function.
    • Amplitude, wavelength, period, wave number and angular frequency are related.
    • The waves energy density varies with the square of the wave height.
    • Wave power and group velocity are key concepts in this theory.
    • Important wave parameters are described here.

    The Tidal Resource

    • Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun.
    • Tidal energy is collected from barrages (imposing impoundment across an estuary) or (lagoons).
    • Tidal stream turbines are direct energy harvesters.

    Tidal Range

    • Tidal range is the difference in the highest and lowest points of the tide.
    • Both predictable and important to consider.
    • Potential energy from the water difference is harvested
    • Two different systems exist, barrages and lagoons, which are used to harness this energy.

    Tidal Stream

    • The kinetic energy of the tide-driven water flow can be harvested using turbines.
    • Local tide velocity, depth, and seabed considerations affect the method.
    • Technologies are often derived from the wind industry's solutions, despite different environmental conditions.
    • There are also significant aspects to consider when considering tidal stream generation: the strength and nature of the current, structural loads, biology, maintenance, and considerations (among others).

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Wave and Tidal Energy PDF

    Description

    Explore the fundamentals of wave and tidal energy, focusing on how wave energy originates and its potential as a renewable resource. This quiz covers various wave energy conversion technologies such as Oscillating Water Columns and Wave Activated Bodies, along with their operational principles and challenges.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser