Ocean Energy: The Untapped Megawatt Potential of Waves and Tides [REPORT]
Wave Star Energy in Denmark. Źródło: Wave Star Energy
Ocean Energy Europe goes beyond analyzing the energy potential of Europe’s oceans and seas. This is the first global assessment of energy resources that can be extracted from waves and tides in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the North Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Valentin Dupont based his regional analysis on over 70 analyses prepared by teams of government experts and academic research. In the report, he presents distinctive water bodies that, in individual countries, offer significant potential for generating significant energy resources.
James Walker, Team Leader at IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), emphasized: “Comprehensive assessments of renewable energy resources provide an essential foundation for developing policy frameworks and strategies that advance the energy transition. This study highlights both the significant global potential of ocean energy and the need to expand data collection, harmonize assessment methodologies, and support more countries in understanding their marine energy resources.”
Ocean Energy Europe emphasizes, also referring to the heatwave affecting many countries, that “The report confirms that ocean energy has the potential to become a major source of renewable energy, alongside wind and solar power, helping to decarbonize energy systems and combat more frequent 40°C heatwaves.”
Ocean Energy in Europe. Source: “Ocean Energy: The Largest Untapped Renewable Resource”
Megawatts from the Ocean
An analysis conducted by Valentin Dupont indicates that global ocean energy resources will grow as technology develops. The increasing adoption of innovation in new geographic regions is also beneficial. He notes that “Many regions have not yet estimated their resources, so current data likely underestimates the sector’s potential.”
The report emphatically states that “Ocean energy could generate 21% of European electricity – more than natural gas or hydropower currently generate.” Countries with access to oceans, such as the United Kingdom and France, possess some of the largest tidal energy resources in the world. Current research estimates that “Wave energy alone could meet over 100% of electricity demand in Ireland and Portugal, 55% in the United Kingdom, and over 30% in Spain.”
The prerequisite for harnessing ocean energy is the deployment of modern equipment on coastlines. Today’s technical knowledge and new research have significantly increased the estimated energy potential of the oceans surrounding European countries. Previous calculations have been significantly revised upwards in recent years. Dupont believes that “Europe has the opportunity to leverage its technological leadership to secure a large share of the global market.”
Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe, said: “This assessment confirms that ocean energy is not a niche technology. Resources are abundant, the technology is developing, and countries that take the first steps will secure industrial leadership, export opportunities, and local renewable energy. The next step is to translate this global potential into commercial use.”
Wave energy in waters of leading European countries (Source: “Ocean Energy: The Largest Untapped Renewable Resource”)
The energy potential of the global ocean
European countries are not the only ones with the potential to harness energy from waves and tides. Technologies developed, researched, and implemented in Europe can be used on a large scale across all continents and island nations.
Analyses show that ocean energy could provide 36% of the electricity demand across the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The United States and Canada have the largest identified potential. Brazil and Chile could meet 20% of their demand solely with wave energy. The United States is rapidly increasing investment in wave energy, thanks to numerous programs funded by the Department of Energy.
For obvious reasons, Asia and Oceania have inexhaustible resources for wave and tidal energy. Ocean Energy Europe’s report, “The Future of Energy: A New Wave Energy Strategy,” highlights the potential for energy production in the Pacific Ocean. “Ocean Energy: The Largest Untapped Renewable Resource” states that “Tides could meet 100% of the energy needs of the Philippines and over 50% of Indonesia.” Japan is installing its first tidal turbines on its coasts. China has included “large-scale ocean energy development” in its 14th Plan. Significant funding is being allocated for pilot projects. It is assumed that new technologies will enable rapid commercialization of these projects in the next five years.
Dupont also found that the ocean-bound African continent also has “significant, invaluable potential.” Ocean energy also holds significance for small island developing states. The study concludes that “most countries have not yet identified their resources, leaving a significant data gap.” The report was presented during a webinar on June 29, attended by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the European Commission, and Ocean Energy Europe.
Wave and tidal energy in leading regions of the world (Source: “Ocean Energy: The Largest Untapped Renewable Resource”)
The world’s first wave power plant from Poland
As a reminder, the world’s first sea wave power plant was built in Gdańsk, at the Odys Shipyard in 2009. Wave Star Energy from Denmark was the author of the concept and preliminary design. Engineers from Odys Shipyard, in conjunction with the Gdańsk-based StoGda design office, prepared the technical implementation design. Design and construction of the device took over two years.
“Attempts to build wave power plants have so far failed because the devices were too weak and were destroyed during the first storms,” Jorgen M. Clausen, owner of Wave Star Energy, stated at a meeting with journalists.
Odys built a 1:10 scale model that has been in operation since April 2006. It was assembled in coastal waters off the northern coast of Denmark in the North Sea, near Nissum Bredning. Since then, the plant has weathered seven significant storms without damaging the plant.
In 2009, a larger model was unveiled, at a 1:2 scale of the proposed plant. A test section of the 600 kW plant was installed in Hanstholm on September 18, 2009. The installation took two days. In the fall of 2009, a jetty was built to provide access to the machines. The plant was connected to the power grid in February 2010.
The designers assured that the structure “should withstand any storm,” but would not operate during a major storm. In the event of a storm above six on the Beaufort scale, the plant’s floats were raised. The Danish investor announced that the full-scale offshore wind farm project would deliver 6 MW annually.
Since then, attempts have been made to launch various types of wind farms utilizing wave or current energy, and even to combine these solutions with offshore wind energy. For now, all these solutions are conceptual and likely far from commercially viable.
Ocean Energy Europe (OEE) is the world’s largest network of experts in ocean energy. Over 120 organizations operate within the organization. Leading European utilities, companies, and research institutes participate in the network.
Ocean Energy Europe’s mission is to build a strong environment for the research and development of ocean energy technologies. OEE supports programs that facilitate the financing of projects implemented by Ocean Energy Europe members. To achieve this, OEE collaborates with European institutions (European Commission, Parliament, Council, EIB, etc.) and national ministries on policy issues related to the sector.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organization comprising over 160 countries (including Poland). Its mission is to integrate government efforts to transition to energy systems that rely heavily on renewable energy. IRENA periodically prepares analyses of the costs and development of green technologies. The organization is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.