Editorial Feature

Wave Power - The Theory Behind Ocean Waves

ImageForArticle_227_15820269818147731.png

Image Credit: Brett Allen/Shutterstock.com

Many of us are familiar with the concept that energy from ocean waves can be used for useful work, including electricity generation, water desalination, and pumping reservoir water. However, the theory and physics behind the waves are often poorly understood. Having a strong knowledge of how ocean waves work will is an enormous advantage in a rapidly expanding business sector, with such knowledge forming the foundations of innovations, improved energy efficiency, and wise business investment.

Anatomy of a Wave

Waves are simply water surface oscillations, which propagate across a body of water and are an everyday phenomenon. Although in nature waves can take on very different forms, they all have the same basic properties. These are:

  • Wavelength: Distance from one crest to the next
  • Peak or Crest: The highest point of a wave
  • Trough: The lowest point of a wave
  • Height: Difference between trough and crest
  • Period: Time taken for one wave to pass a fixed point
  • Frequency: Number of waves per second that pass a fixed point
  • Velocity: Speed with which the waves are moving past a fixed point
  • Steepness: The ratio of height to width

How are Waves Formed and Destroyed?

Waves are generally generated by wind passing over the surface of the sea, but can also form via atmospheric pressure and gravitational attraction. Landslides and other Earth movements (tectonic movement) can also create waves, demonstrated with catastrophic effect by the Japanese Tsunami of 2011.

The wind attempts to stretchthe surface of the sea by rubbing against the surface of the water. This causes water molecules on the surface to move in the same direction as the wind. The water molecules collide with each other and so start moving forward. It's just basic friction. As long as the waves move forward slower than the wind speed just above the waves, energy moves from the wind to the waves.

If the wind is continuous the wave period and height grow together. Low pressure behind wave also contributes to forward motion. The wave height is determined by wind speed, how long the wind has been blowing, the fetch (the distance over which the wind excites the waves) and by the depth and surface of the seafloor (which can focus or disperse the energy of the waves). Given wind speed has a matching practical limit over which time or distance will not produce larger waves. When this limit has been reached the sea is said to be "fully developed”.

Waves are destroyed mainly by gravity or breakingon land. For very small waves surface tension can flatten waves.

Wave Power Formula

In general, larger waves are more powerful but wave power is also determined by wave speed, wavelength, and water density. The power of a wave is determined by the Wave Power Formula. In this case, the powerdoes not refer to the power that would be produced by a wave power machine, rather it means the wave energy flux, or the transport rate of wave energy. In deep water where the water depth is larger than half the wavelength, the wave power is found using the following equation:

ImageForArticle_227(3).jpg

Where P is the wave energy flux per unit of wave-crest length, Hm0 the significant wave height, T the wave period, ρ the water density and g the acceleration by gravity. The above formula also says that wave power is proportional to the wave period and to the square of the wave height. If the significant wave height is given in meters, and the wave period in seconds wave power has units of kilowatts (kW) per meter of wavefront length.

Wave Energy

In average ocean conditions, the average energy density per unit area of sea surface waves is proportional to the wave height squared, shown in the following equation:

ImageForArticle_227(4).jpg

where E is the mean wave energy density per unit horizontal area (J/m2), the sum of kinetic and potential energy density per unit horizontal area. The potential energy density is equal to the kinetic energy, both contributing half to the wave energy density E.

Waves in Shallow and Deep Water

Ocean waves behave differently depending on the depth of the water they have formed in. Deepwater is generally considered to be when the water has a depth larger than half a wavelength, which is usually the case in the open ocean. In deep water:

  • The velocity of a wave through water determined by the wavelength
  • Longer waves move faster
  • Typical speed=28 mph

In shallow water:

  • The velocity of wave determined by water depth
  • Speed (m/sec) = 3.1 x square root (depth)
  • When a deep water wave moves into shallow water it slows down
  • If wave=28 mph in deep water, in 1-meter deep water speed is 7 mph

More uniform Deepwater waves offer the opportunity for the development of technology that will not get damaged as heavily as near-shore machines.

Sources and Further Reading

This article was updated on 18th February, 2020.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.

G.P. Thomas

Written by

G.P. Thomas

Gary graduated from the University of Manchester with a first-class honours degree in Geochemistry and a Masters in Earth Sciences. After working in the Australian mining industry, Gary decided to hang up his geology boots and turn his hand to writing. When he isn't developing topical and informative content, Gary can usually be found playing his beloved guitar, or watching Aston Villa FC snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Thomas, G.P.. (2020, March 10). Wave Power - The Theory Behind Ocean Waves. AZoCleantech. Retrieved on October 10, 2024 from https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=227.

  • MLA

    Thomas, G.P.. "Wave Power - The Theory Behind Ocean Waves". AZoCleantech. 10 October 2024. <https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=227>.

  • Chicago

    Thomas, G.P.. "Wave Power - The Theory Behind Ocean Waves". AZoCleantech. https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=227. (accessed October 10, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Thomas, G.P.. 2020. Wave Power - The Theory Behind Ocean Waves. AZoCleantech, viewed 10 October 2024, https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=227.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this article?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.