These are some of the challenges to deploying wave power
devices:
● The device needs to capture a reasonable
fraction of thewave energy in irregular waves, in a wide range of
sea states.
● There is an extremely large fluctuation
of power in the waves. The peak absorption capacity needs to be much (more than
10 times) larger than the mean power. For wave power plant the
ratio is typically 4.
● The device has to efficiently convert
wave motion into electricity. Generally speaking, wave power is available at
low speed and high force, and the motion of forces is not in a single
direction. Most readily-available electric generators operate at higher speeds,
and most readily-available turbines require a constant, steady flow.
● The device has to be able to survive
storm damage and saltwater corrosion. Likely sources of failure include seized
bearings, broken welds, and snapped mooring lines. Hence, designers may create
prototypes that are so overbuilt that materials costs prohibit affordable
production.
● The total cost of electricity is high.
Wave power will be competitive only when the total cost of generation is
reduced (or the total cost of power generated from other sources increases).
The total cost includes the primary converter, the power take-off system, the
mooring system, installation & maintenance cost, and electricity delivery
costs.
● There is a potential impact on the
marine environment. Noise pollution, for example, could have negative impact if
not monitored, although the noise and visible impact of each design varies
greatly.
● In terms of socio-economic
challenges, wave farms can result in the displacement of
commercial and recreational fishermen from productive fishing grounds, can
change the pattern of beach sand nourishment, and may represent hazards to safe
navigation.
● In the US, development of wave farms is
currently hindered by a maze of state and federal regulatory hurdles and
limited R&D funding.
● Wave power plant generate about 2,700
gigawatts of power. Of those 2,700 gigawatts, only about 500 gigawatts can be
captured with the current technology.