Alex Martinez Wave Energy
There are many different ways of harnessing energy from the ocean here are a few that use the power of the waves to do so. Tidal Barrage is a mechanism that dams of a bay on the coastline of the ocean, this machines captures high tide water in the bay and then releases it during low tide when the ocean water is at a lower point. As the water moves out of the bay it spins turbines which then generate electricity from this movement. Pelamis Wave Energy The Pelamis is essentially a huge floating cylindrical mechanism that is broken up into sections, joined together by hinged joints. As a wave passes down the machine these hinges flex but are resisted by hydraulic pumps. These pumps pump oil into a turbine which then in turn creates electricity. There are three of these off the coast of Portugal that feed energy to 1500 homes back on the mainland. Wave Treader This device is essentially a buoy with two arms on each side, as waves pass by the arms move up and down, this motion is harvested by hydraulic cylinders that generate electricity. The electricity produces is then carried off to the shore via underwater cable lines. Biowave This is another mechanism to harvest energy from the waves. This device is mounted to the seafloor in shallow water with a structure that holds three buoys what move up and down as waves pass by. The up and down movement of the buoys generate the energy which converts mechanical energy into fluid pressure which spins a generator. Demonstrations videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snxm1EaDf4g (Biowave) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0mzrbfzUpM&feature=related (Pelamis) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSBACzRE3Gw (Tide power)