Print this page Renewable Energy from the Ocean
Mark P. Rossow, PhD, PE Retired
Course Outline
This two-hour online course discusses technologies for capturing wave energy, tidal energy, marine current energy, and ocean thermal energy. A brief history of the technologies is presented, as well as each technology’s commercial market development status. Benefits and barriers to research and development are examined along with various devices currently being validated in the field.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Types of ocean energy: wave, tidal and marine current, tidal potential energy, and ocean thermal energy;
- Total energy resources available for each type;
- Energy conversion technologies for each type;
- Benefits of each type; and
- Current projects and devices.
Intended Audience
This course is intended primarily for engineers interested in gaining an overview of the production of energy from renewable sources.
Benefit to Attendees
A person completing this course will be sufficiently familiar with ocean-energy technology issues to be able to interact knowledgeably with specialists in the field.
Course Introduction
Ocean and marine energy refers to various forms of renewable electric energy extracted from the ocean. There are two primary types of ocean energy: mechanical and thermal. The rotation of the earth and the moon’s gravitational pull create mechanical forces. The rotation of the earth creates wind on the ocean surface that forms waves, while the gravitational pull of the moon creates coastal tides and currents. Thermal energy is derived from the sun, which heats the surface of the ocean while the depths remain colder. This temperature difference allows energy to be captured and converted to electric power.
Course Content
This course is based on the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy document, “Ocean Energy Technology Overview,” July, 2009.
Ocean Energy Technology Overview
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.
Course Summary
The various types of ocean energy and corresponding conversion devices are discussed. The magnitude of the energy available from each type is described. The current status of commercial conversion devices is given.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
