Wave Energy Research And Development Activity Around The World Japan Norway United Kingdom

China India

Denmark

Sweden

Portugal Netherlands Korea Indonesia

Republic of lreland

United States Australia

Environmental Impact They have little potential for chemical pollution. They will have little visual impact except where shore-mounted. Noise generation is likely to be low – generally lower than the noise of crashing waves. (There might be low- frequency noise effects on cetaceans, but this has to be confirmed.) They should present a small (through not insignificant) hazard to shipping. They should present no difficulties to migrating fish.

Floating schemes, since they are incapable of extracting more than a small fraction of the energy of storms, will not significantly influence the coastal environment. Of course, a scheme such as a new breakwater incorporating a wave energy device will provide coastal protection, and may result in changes to the coastline. Concrete structures will need to be removed at the end of their operating life. Near-shore wave energy schemes will release an estimated 11 g of CO2, 0.03 g of SO2 and 0.05g of NOx for each kWh of electricity generated (Thorpe,1999), making them very attractive in comparison to the (see the companion volume, Boyle et al., 2003). Thus wave energy can make a significant contribution in meeting climate change and acid rain targets.

Wave Energy For Isolated Communities

Wave Energy For Large Electricity Grids