While the ocean energy sector is still in its early stages of development, a new report from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides an analysis of 10 emerging technologies for generating energy from ocean tides and waves.
The European Commission admits it is almost a science-fiction fantasy to imagine the energy needs of our cities and houses being met by the oceans’ permanent ebb and flow. And yet, it states, such ideas are being studied with a view to possible commercial success.
Experts recommend the adoption of an “integrated systems approach” to ensure commercial success of such new technologies in the field of ocean and wave energy.
Moving to economically viable ocean energy technologies would largely contribute towards decarbonisation and the growth of the blue economy in many coastal areas.
However, for now, with only 17 MW (Megawatt) capacity in European waters, compared to 15.8 GW of operating capacity from offshore wind farms, ocean energy can be considered as a future emerging technology.
Thirty ocean energy experts have analysed the needs of the ocean energy sector and the kind of innovation that would bridge the gap with the market.
In Europe, a large variety of different concepts have been developed for ocean energy conversion, with over 200 different devices proposed. Experts are developing 10 families of ocean energy technology. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)