Question

Collect information from the internet about how electricity is generated from waves. Find places where such electricity is being generated.

Answer 1

Electricity generation from ocean waves is achieved by allowing water to enter and exit a chamber, causing the water column to move up and down, functioning like a piston on the air. This movement compresses and decompresses the air, which is then directed through a wind turbine generator to produce electricity.

Frequent tsunami waves have made us well aware of the immense power of ocean waves. This same energy can be harnessed by installing turbines on the seabed, which rotate and generate power. If projects for electricity generation from ocean waves are established, sustainable energy can be produced without harming marine life.

For electricity generation, tidal waves need to reach a minimum height of a few meters. The first project, "Rance River Project," was established in France within the English Channel, utilizing waves that reach up to 14 meters in height.

This 240-megawatt project has been fairly successful. During high tide, the dam gates are opened, and during low tide, they are closed. When the waves recede, the trapped water is released, producing 13 megawatts of electricity per cycle.

Since traditional energy resources are limited, the use of alternative energy sources is the need of the hour. Maharashtra has a 720 km long coastline, and experts estimate that approximately 500 megawatts of electricity can be generated from these coastal regions. Various efforts are being made in this direction, leading to the establishment of an ocean wave energy project in Kolthare, Dapoli Taluka, Ratnagiri District.

This project has been set up jointly by Saraswati Engineering College, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, and Walchand College of Engineering - Technological Department, Sangli. Ocean waves are created due to the pressure of moving winds on seawater. The length and height of these waves depend on the atmospheric conditions. These waves contain kinetic and potential energy, and their combined energy is approximately five kilowatts.