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Definition
Wave power is the transport of energy by ocean surface waves, and the capture of that energy
to do useful work – for example, electricity generation, water desalination, or the pumping of
water (into reservoirs)
Wave energy is an irregular and oscillating low-frequency energy source that can be converted
to a 60-Hertz frequency and can then be added to the electric utility grid. The energy in waves
comes from the movement of the ocean and the changing heights and speed of the swells.
Kinetic energy, the energy of motion, in waves is tremendous. An average 4-foot, 10-second
wave striking a coast puts out more than 35,000 horsepower per mile of coast.
Description
The Pelamis is cylindrical, with four main tube segments linked by hinged joints. Each segment
measures 120m long and 3.5m wide, and weighs 750 tons when fully ballasted. The machine
operates semi-submerged, extracting power from the wave-induced motion of the hinged
joints. This power is resisted by hydraulic rams, which pump high-pressure oil through
smoothing accumulators to hydraulic motors. Each module contains a complete electro-
hydraulic power generation system, with a single seabed cable linking several devices to the
