Abstract
Installed Offshore Wave Capacity (as of June 30, 2009) Less than 1 MW worldwide (The 2.25 MW Agucadoura project is not deployed in Portugal at this time); 40 kW in the United States.
Estimated annual incremental U.S. capacity additions:
- 2010 - 0.15 MW
- 2011 - 1.50 MW
- 2012 - 13.30 MW
ERPI estimates a U.S. cumulative capacity by 2015 of about 200 MW and 10,000 MW by 2025 (see table 8-1) Douglas Westwood estimates a US capacity of 5MW and a worldwide capacity of 25 MW by 213. Greentech Media estimates a worldwide capacity by 2015 of 1,000 MW
Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) Technology Readiness WEC is an emerging technology. About a half dozen full-scale prototype WEC devices have been demonstrated at sea over the past five years; about another dozen sub-scale prototypes have also been demonstrated and are now ready for full-scale demonstration.
The first phase (three Pelamis units at 0.75 MW each totals 2.25 MW) of the world's first commercial 30 MW wave plant was deployed in Portugal; it first transmitted electricity to the grid in mid-2008. The three machines are not dockside due to financial difficulties of project majority owner.
Numerous project and device developers have initiated wave power plant projects off the shores of many countries.