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Film summary
Wave and tidal power are a developing form of renewable energy. How do they work and what makes them desirable alternatives to other forms of renewable energy?Key facts
- The Atlantic Ocean and North Sea have the potential to provide energy through wave power.
- Wave power technology is advancing quickly.
- Scotland has a long coastline and high tidal ranges, which could be used to generate electricity.
- New wave turbines have been designed that have the capacity to produce much more energy than wind turbines.
Transcript
Many forms of renewable energy are inextricably linked to the landscape.
In Scotland, the turbulent Atlantic Ocean and North Sea provide an exceptional potential to obtain energy through wave power.
Martin MacAdam, CEO, Aquamarine Power – "Scotland has a tremendous opportunity, and that opportunity in terms of renewable energy comes from the air in terms of wind energy, but comes from the seas in terms of both wave and tidal stream energy."
Tidal Power
Large underwater turbines are placed in areas with high tidal movement designed to capture the kinetic motion of the surging of ocean tides, in order to produce electricity.
Wave Power
Wave power technology is varied, and advancing fast.
A Scottish company called Aquamarine has developed a new design called Oyster.
Oyster Wave Power Device
What appears to be a simple floating tube is actually a large flap structure, which is connected to the seabed on a hinge.
The waves push against the structure, and this movement pumps water onshore.
Martin MacAdam, CEO, Aquamarine Power – "Oyster uses the energy from the waves to create high pressure water. The high pressure water is then fed to an onshore hydroelectric turbine, we drive a generator, and we make electricity."
Like most wave power devices, the Oyster is unobtrusive to the natural environment and one has the capacity to produce 2.5MW of electricity.
1 Wave turbine = 2.5MW of electricity
40% more than average wind turbine
Scotland's mainland and island coastline is nearly 12,000km long, and has some of the highest tidal ranges in the world.
However, like many other countries, the potential for marine renewables remains underutilised.
Yet many believe that wave and tidal power could become a major provider of clean, renewable electricity in the future.
