Seas represent a vast unexploited potential for generation argues Dr George A Aggidis of Lancaster University in the UK, speaking at the Renewable Energy World Europe conference.
Oceans cover more than two thirds of our planet and represent a massive resource, said Dr Aggidis. The worldwide annual tidal energy potential is about 500–1000 TWh while worldwide wave energy resources have been estimated by the World Energy Council to be 2 TW, equivalent to an annual available resource of 17 500 TWh.
If a small fraction of this could be economically harnessed and integrated with other renewable sources such as hydropower, wind, solar and more conventional generation methods, it would contribute a significant percentage of the world’s energy requirements, vastly lowering emissions. Exploiting these resources, in conjunction with energy saving schemes, would avert the need for more power stations, in his view.
Tidal and wave marine renewable energy has an essential role to play in response to increasing energy needs and CO2 reduction, said Dr Aggidis. He describes them as safe, inexhaustible and mostly predictable, offering security of supply, innovation and economic development.
The UK is at the forefront of the ocean renewable energy industry, through its research and development programmes, test facilities, and offshore experience from oil and gas extraction.
