how will ocean energy be used
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter14.html
Ocean energy, also known as marine energy, is a renewable form of energy that is generated from the ocean's natural resources such as tides, waves, and currents. There are several ways in which ocean energy can be harnessed and converted into usable electricity.
1. Tidal Energy: Tidal energy is generated by capturing the energy of the rising and falling tides. This is done by building barrages or tidal range turbines across coastal areas. When the tide rises or falls, water flows through the turbines, causing them to rotate and convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy.
2. Wave Energy: Wave energy is harnessing the power of ocean waves to generate electricity. This can be done using floating devices or submerged structures that capture the movement of waves, which then drives a turbine to generate electricity. The direction and speed of the waves are utilized to produce clean energy.
3. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): OTEC uses the temperature difference between the warm surface water and the cold deep water in the ocean to generate electricity. The warm surface water is used to vaporize a working fluid, which powers a turbine connected to a generator. The cold deep water is used to condense the working fluid back into a liquid, completing the cycle.
4. Salinity Gradient Power: Salinity gradient power or osmotic power is generated by the difference in salt concentration between seawater and freshwater. This is done by using selective membranes that allow freshwater and saltwater to flow through them. The pressure from the flow drives a turbine or generates osmotic pressure which can be converted into electricity.
5. Current Energy: Current energy involves using the kinetic energy of ocean currents to generate power. This can be done by installing underwater turbines or using underwater kite-like structures that harness the flow of currents. As the underwater turbines or kites move with the currents, they generate electricity.
In summary, ocean energy is used by employing various technologies to harness the natural power of tides, waves, currents, and temperature differences in the ocean to generate electricity. These methods provide a renewable and sustainable source of energy while minimizing environmental impacts.