Wave energy, known as hydroelectric power, is a truly renewable form of energy in that the water used in the production of the electricity can be reused. While the dams required for containment of the oceanic flows are very expensive and require cooperation between large corporations, research facilities and governmental entities to finance and build, as long as there is a sufficiently powerful water supply available, electricity can be continuously generated. Unlike solar energy, which is contingent on the number of sunny days available in a year, the absence of air pollution to interfere with the solar cell collectors, and the negative impact of no energy collection after sunset, wave energy is not affected by any other environmental factor, therefore is a 24/7 operation, continuously.
Hydroelectric power is the most widely used form of renewable energy and over 50 percent of the total hydroelectric power produced in the United States is from power plant locations in California, Oregon and Washington. These coastal states have advanced the technology used to dam the reservoirs of water at different levels to be able to control the output of energy in relation to current demands.
Water has been used, worldwide, as a source of energy since the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Use of water to harness energy spans over thousands of years in various forms from ancient aquaducts to waterwheels used to produce water driven electricity to power various manufacturing plants in North America in the 1950’s.
One potential negative impact of hydroelectric power technology is in the direct relation to aquatic habitat. Considerations must be made in effort to prevent disruption of spawning patterns and natural chemical flows for the reproductive efforts of aquatic life. In most cases, problems arising from introduction of new devices to an established waterway are seldom able to be foreseen, and must be addressed once the dilemma has presented itself. As more dams and water energy producing systems are introduced, producers and installers will have the benefit of prior installation issues to aid in preventing future problems.
As research and development continues to progress regarding the use of wave energy technology the U.S. will find itself poised to be the frontrunning source worldwide in the distribution of harnessed water energy. As the U.S. terrirtories are large in geography, and contain many oceanic borders, including Hawaii and the Virgin Islands, the potential for becoming a worldwide supplier of a natural energy source which produces no pollutants or chemical bi-products is a lucrative position to be in.
