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1) The pattern of movement of particles in water waves 2) Up and Down Simple Harmonic Motion resulting from the sinusoidal / trochoidal nature of swell waves 3) The use of Parabolic shapes to capture waves and concentrate their energy into a narrow region 4) A Variety of Buoy Shapes for positioning on and below the water surface 5) Clever Geometry of Turbine Blades so that they can generate power when going both forwards and backwards 6) A Variety of Geometrical Arrangements of Energy Capturing blades, buoys, turbines, and paddles designed to interact with ocean waves, and freshwater currents

Oscillating Water Column Technology “OWC” is based on replicating what happens in natural “Blow Holes”

Oceanlinx Australia “OWC” Units with Parabolic capturing and Turbines that turn as each wave comes in and as it recedes.

OWC Power Generation is also being used in Scotland in a breakwater type application which generates electricity.

Oscillating Buoys drive pistons which pump water to an elevated storage tank. Water from the storage tank is channeled to rotate a fluid motor or a turbine, which in turn rotates a generator to produce electricity..

Two possible geometric arrangements of Actuator Bars to drive wave powered Piston Pumps. The resulting Water Flow drives electricity turbines.

A wave energy “farm” is created by joining together actuator arms and buoys in a chained arrangement. Each link in the chain has four pumps driving a turbine to pump water along the system to the Main Generator.

Ceto run by Carnegie Wave Energy in Western Australia is in the first stage of a commercial scale demonstration Wave Farm facility.

 Wave energy can be predicted several days in advance  Supply of wave energy and demand for power are well matched, with most of the world’s population living near to the coast  Power is provided by Blue Energy Wave Technology night and day, with waves being a far more reliable and regular source compared to Wind and Solar Energy  Wave energy converters can have less visual impact on its environment during energy production or recovery in comparison to wind and fossil fuels.

 Wave power, like other early energy sources, is currently expensive.  While coal might be priced at five to 10 cents per kilowatt hour of energy, wave energy costs reach 20 to 30 cents.  Wave energy companies need more time to develop technologies that can withstand the harsh ocean environment.  Another tricky issue is property. Unlike building a power plant on land a company owns, the ocean is common space. Also how will Fishing and Shipping be affected by the placement of structures.

Complete details of all material covered in this presentation can be found in the “Mathematics of Oceans” lesson on the Passy’s World of Mathematics Website: