Future Energy Solutions highlight that the global wave power potential has been estimated to be around 1000-10,000GW, which is the same order of magnitude as world electrical energy consumption. The best wave climates, with annual average power levels between 20-70 kW/m of wave front or higher, are found in the temperate zones (30-60 degrees latitude) where strong storms occur. However, the extent to which this will prove practical to harness will depend upon the successful development of both near shore and deep water technologies

The most obvious form of ocean energy to the observer is the surface wave. The ocean is acting as an energy carrier with the source energy being carried away from it’s point of origin. The source of energy for a wave falls into one of four categories.

1- Bodies moving on or near the surface of the water causing relatively low period waves of low energy.

2- Seas and swells generated by winds

3- Seismic disturbances such as what causes a Tsunami

4- Tidal motion caused by the cyclic motion of the sun and moon.

Waves generated by winds are actually a form of solar energy since the primary source of energy for the wind is the sun.

The economics of any wave energy conversion device is determined by three physical factors.

1- The magnitude and dependability of the wave resource 

2- The cost of construction and operation ( including maintenance and decommissioning)

3- The efficiency of transmitting the converted wave energy from the site to the end consumer.

White paper submitted to the Western Governors Association,  Clean and Diversified Energy Advisory Committee
Ocean Wave Energy Conversion Technology 2005

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