ipl-logo

Wave Energy Research Paper

1209 Words5 Pages

South Africa’s current energy resource is coal which produces a lot of pollution, is non-renewable and will need an alternative but sustainable resource of energy in the future because it will run out. The aim of this investigation is to discover if wave energy is a sustainable, alternative energy source for South Africa. Waves are a renewable, natural and clean energy resource and are free to harvest power from. If it is a sustainable resource of energy, it could be used as an alternative to coal when it becomes depleted. Before deciding if it is an alternative and sustainable resource of energy, it is important to look at the advantages and disadvantages of wave energy, how it works and its relevance to South Africa based on location and …show more content…

The technology was called the Pelamis Wave Power. It is a snake-like body made up of 5 sections that rests on the surface of the ocean water and is moved up/down/back/forth by the waves. That motion drives an electric generator inside each tube and the power is transmitted back to shore using standard subsea cables. Due to it not being right on the coastline, tidal waves are not beneficial to it. Figure 1 shows how the machine bends and moves in the water due to the movement of the waves. Figure 2 shows an actual Pelamis machine working in Scottish waters. This is the best technology designed so far to capture wave energy and they are found 2-10km from the coastlines in the ocean. “On average one machine will provide sufficient power to meet the annual electricity demand of approximately 500 homes.” – pelamiswave.com. The machine has no propellers so will not damage the habitat for nearby sea creatures not disrupt the seabed. Stellenbosch University has developed a wave energy converter designed specifically for South African wave conditions, but it is still in the process of being tested and …show more content…

At this stage in time, South Africa has not invested a lot of money into wave energy technology and if it had to invest more in wave energy, it would be a valuable and beneficial decision to the country. There are a few disadvantages to wave energy, but the advantages outweigh them by far and it is able to produce the most energy compared to other renewable energy sources. I have concluded that wave energy is a sustainable, alternative resource of energy for South

Show More
Related

  • David Bushnell: The Cause Of The American Civil War

    283 Words  | 2 Pages

    A boat that traveled underwater wouldve been ideal but there were alot of technological barriers. Bushnell eventually overcame the limited technoligy of his time and built a one person submarine.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Christopher Columbus

    847 Words  | 4 Pages

    Every boat has a, GPS in 2016, which is one innovation power boaters and sailors, GPS has been the single, most redefining elements of modern boating. Power cells are a wet cell batteries that have the workhorse of the ship's electrical system, but since they require maintenance they must be installed in accessible space- a premium on a sailboat. Other

    Read More

  • To What Extent Was There A Technological Advancement In World War 1

    793 Words  | 4 Pages

    Earlier versions of the hydrophone were originally used for navigation, but during the war the increased use of submarines required that the technology be militarized. With the advancement this technology it allowed the soldiers to locate the submarines while they were still under the water and not delectable to the human

    Read More

  • Florida's Energy Essay

    1738 Words  | 7 Pages

    While turbines do have storm modes that stop the rotors from spinning during severe weather, sometimes this fails and causes massive damage. Certainly, many more advances must be made before wind can become a viable power source in

    Read More

  • The Tempest Research Paper

    639 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the Atlantic Ocean there is a remote island inhabited by its own native population but also a more recent population, all victims of political and Atlantic storms. Prospero and his daughter Miranda were exiled from Milan and the others ship wrecked from a tempest conjured up by Prospero's powers and his spirit, Ariel. They all have different views about the island, some see it as their prison, while others see it as beautiful. My question is, who should own this island?

    Read More

  • Noise Pollution In California

    1717 Words  | 7 Pages

    found that wind-driven waves contribute to ocean noise (1985) while Nystuen and Farmer found precipitation to be a culprit as well (1987). This noise is of great concern to groups such as cetaceans, who utilize sound

    Read More

  • The Role Of Natural Phenomenon In Homer's Odyssey

    1459 Words  | 6 Pages

    “Waves transmit energy, not water, and are commonly caused by the wind as it blows across the ocean, lakes, and rivers” ( Megan Forbes, 1). Odysseus has obtained Poseidon’s wrath, and number one rule is to not

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of The Keystone XL Pipeline

    2026 Words  | 9 Pages

    It uses flowing water to generate electricity. It does this by using dams and reservoirs for storage. This method gives us the most electricity rather than any other renewable energy source. Not only do the dams and reservoirs create electricity, they also control flooding (Sambu). Hydropower is the least expensive procedure to generate electricity.

    Read More

  • Earth To Echo Research Paper

    510 Words  | 3 Pages

    Earth to Echo Essay In a classroom. A bunch of kids were watching a movie. The movie is called Earth To Echo. It is for this reason we the affirmative strongly agree with the resolution, which states “The movie Earth to Echo is a fantastic movie.”

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Nuclear Energy

    3678 Words  | 15 Pages

    “Nuclear power will help provide the electricity that our growing economy needs without increasing emissions. This is truly an environmentally responsible source of energy.” Michael Burgess Prior to the introduction of nuclear energy, fossil fuel was thought to be the only available source in producing energy. Although fossil fuel, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, contains high energy value, it produces too many harmful byproducts that ultimately pollute our environment. With the rising concerns over global warming as more and more greenhouse gases accumulate in our Earth’s atmosphere, many voice such opinions that new alternative, yet sustainable method must be adopted to produce energy.

    Read More

  • How Does The Marshall Hydrothermal Recovery System Work

    444 Words  | 2 Pages

    How Does The Marshall Hydrothermal Recovery System Work? Nowadays, it seems as if everyone is plugged in and in constant need for energy. Dependant on energy, our generation gets most of it from fossil fuels, nuclear technology, and solar power, however, could there be a way of harvesting energy at a much more efficient rate than we currently are? The Marshall Hydrothermal Recovery System is a way we can reap the mass amounts of heat produced by naturally occurring sea vents deep down in the ocean.

    Read More

  • Why Are Tsunamis So Dangerous To Humans

    1195 Words  | 5 Pages

    When this is done is created a vertical offset, the seabed drops or raised along a fault and this in turn creates a movement of large masses of water forming two tsunami waves that move in different directions. At great depth stays wave long

    Read More

  • The Wave

    1007 Words  | 5 Pages

    There is always a science to everything, whether it’s taste in style, reactions to different events or even taste in friends. Our human brain reacts to social conformity in a peculiar way. Research reveals “the brain activity that underlies our tendency to "follow the crowd” and how human behavior can be guided by the perceived behavior of other individuals.  Our natural human conformist nature leads us to do things that are dangerous, silly or even crazy.  

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Solar Energy

    1889 Words  | 8 Pages

    Scientists have found that renewable energy is a path towards the future for a clean and safe environment. Throughout all the studies and findings, there is a continuing fret whether people should be able to use a traditional way of energy or renewable energy, solar power. Solar energy is seen to be effective since there has progressively been more places that are benefiting from solar usage; however there are also some who disagree. Solar energy sources are derived from natural sources and is implicated throughout our daily lives. From the lights in the streets to the computers we use at home.

    Read More

  • Essay On Wind Energy

    1104 Words  | 5 Pages

    Nowadays, we usually use the newer term called “wind turbine”.1 About four percent of the energy created in the United States comes from wind energy,2 and over 100 countries are now following in this trend and produce energy through the use of wind. This not only shows that a wind energy has great potential in the future, but also how popular it already is. It can be said that the more countries there are that using wind energy the better it is for our world. It is better because wind energy is a sustainable energy source.3 Looking back already at around 1000 AD wind power used and spread around northern Europe, starting with Holland.

    Read More

More about Wave Energy Research Paper

Open Document