Would There Be A Way To Generate Electricity From The Ocean's Wave Action?

Answer 1

Yes, it has already been done with tidal generators.

A generator works by using a regular action like the flow of water, the wind or something else to turn a turbine (a large winding of wire) inside of a magnetic field to create electricity.

In New York City there are prototype tidal generators that are in operation today. They use simple propellers like a boat motor would. The tides in the New York rivers are very strong so when they come in and out they rush past the propellers and turn them thus creating electrical energy.

Another tidal generator and a far older one uses the waves or the tides to push a plate. As the plate moves back and forth it turns a crankshaft with is connected to the turbine and then electrical energy is made.

If you look at the large wind turbines you will see the same principle as the first example. They don’t need to turn quickly to generate power, what is required is some reliability. The tides of New York’s rivers are as regular as the moon so they make a great source of energy. When something is very energetic like these tides then it can create a lot of energy with a small propeller. In fact the first test propeller was too weak to withstand the current and it was ripped apart. When the force is gentle like the wind then large propellers can be used to harvest the energy there.

Even falling rain can be harvested for the energy that it has. A good strong rain storm could run a water mill or be channeled to run one or could just fall on a group of panels and rotate them. All these sources of energy can be used to create electricity.

Basically any form of reoccurring energy can be harvested in some way to make electricity.

Answer 2

tilde wave generators are not the only way to take advantage of the ocean waves.

Another way is to use bobs (floating plastic spheres most commonly used in fishing) to move up and down in the waves. I forget which university did this, but networking together hundreds of bobs and using their floating motion in the ocean's waves to generate electricity is suppose to be more efficient than most large wind turbines.

Answer 3

Since waves are caused by wind, regular wind generators can do that. And like other posts have said, they also have submerged turbine generators that are driven by tidal action and strong underwater currents.

Answer 4

there called tidal generators

Answer 5

I've heard of it already being done, but I don't understand how it works, sorry.

Answer 6

Absolutely- I think it may have been done somewhere, not sure
tho

Answer 7

already being done.
http://www.electricity-today.com/et/issue0302/i03_bchydro.htm