07/28/08 Wave Power

Yet another unique source of natural energy is surfacing around the globe. Research into "wave power" entails using giant rubber tubing or "snakes" to capture energy from coastal waves. Rather like a magnified version of a game we used to play in the swimming pool, one end of a rubber snake that is just below the water surface is flattened by the force of a wave causing the rubber to bulge. The bulge then travels to the other side of the snake at the same speed as the wave and is converted into energy by a hydropower turbine connected to a power grid. Wave power resources in the U.S. are touted as being able to produce 2,100 terawatt hours annually; which in easy speak would be roughly half of the U.S.' annual electricity consumption. Of course it will be around 3 more years before testing is completed and the giant rubber snakes could be put into everyday use. But like every other renewable source of energy, its greatest hurdle will no doubt be in trying to gain governmental support, a process which in the past has proven to be akin to parting the Red Sea.