A decade ago an exciting concept to generate electric power from the wind and wave action of the ocean resulted in a pilot plant being constructed for positioning at Port Kembla. Since then there has been a deathly silence !
The problem seems to be a matter of substance. The power of the ocean in storm mode is immense, and in comparison the pilot plant was tiny. Something that could withstand a normal ocean swell would be overwhelmed by the ever likely storm scenario.
Hopefully, the scientists involved have not given up on this promising idea. Not only could the movement of the ocean generate electricity, but the pressure applied would force salt water through membranes - similar to the process at the Kurnell plant - to deliver fresh water.
It seems that the benefits of both desalination and electricity production without the need of the use of fuel should warrant consideration of further research to further this idea.
Like wind and solar - the ocean power source is free !
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