Ocean energy - the energy received by means of sea waves , tides , salinity , currents and the difference in temperature of ocean waters .
The oceans are the natural accumulator of a huge amount of solar energy entering the Earth. Table [1] presents the main forms of energy that may be available to humans at the current level of technical development and in the near future.
| Title | Source | Assessment of Potential Resources | Estimation of the cost of energy production |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave energy | waves in the ocean, coastal waves | 8 - 80 thousand TW / year | $ 90-137 / MW |
| Tidal energy | tides of the sea and ocean | 200 TW / year | n / a |
| Energy of currents | strong sea currents | 0.8-5 TW / year | $ 56-168 / MW |
| The energy of the temperature gradient of sea water | temperature difference between surface and deep ocean | 10 thousand MW / year | n / a |
Notes
- ↑ RENEWABLE ENERGY: RD&D Priorities Insights from IEA Technology Programs, 2006, p. 174