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Effects Region and Country
Material
Water m 2
Energy
Surface
fields
Europe
Resource Efficiency
The wave power station uses renewable energy of waves
and emits no CO during the utilization phase. The plant
2
is designed in such a way that the energy of waves even
higher than the Oyster stations itself can be used. The first
prototype generates 6,000 operating hours per year. Additionally,
the power station technology can be used for
seawater desalination if the Oyster stations power a plant
for reverse osmosis.
Barriers and Risks
With the hydroelectric turbine, the wave power stations are
designed based on conventional, sufficiently established,
technology. A problem – as known of offshore wind energy
plants – could be the corrosion caused by the salt water.
So far many pilot plants for the use of wave energy have
been destroyed by storm tides. However, the Oyster power
stations should be more robust due to its simple construction:
On the one hand, turbine and generator are located
ashore, on the other hand, the pumping stations with the
swinging flaps offer small contact surfaces; they can be
washed over completely. The effects on flora and fauna of
the coasts have not been examined yet. Conflicts with the
tourism industry could occur.
UK
Potentials
Coastal regions, which are particularly suitable for the use
of wave energy, are located between 30° and 70° East on
the northern and southern hemisphere. Thus, particularly
suitable coastal regions in Europe are located in England,
Portugal, Spain and Norway. Also the coastal regions of
North and South America along the Pacific and Atlantic
Ocean offer good conditions for wave power stations. According
to the study “Future Marine Energy Challenge” of
the society ’’Carbon Trust“ from 2006, sea energy could cover
up to 20 percent of power requirements in Great Britain.
The World Energy Council estimates a possible electrical
output of 2,000 TWh, if the potential of wave power stations
such as Oyster is used worldwide. That corresponds to
more than the threefold quantity of annual gross requirements
of electric current in Germany in 2010.
Further information
Aquamarine Power
10 Saint Andrew Square
Edinburgh EH2 2AF, UK
info@aquamarinepower.com
www.aquamarinepower.com
Ressourceneffizienzatlas
Resource Efficiency Atlas 41