The Ocean: An Alternate Source of Energy or Just a Daydream?

The idea that the ocean can be a source of energy is just staggering. No more fossil fuels or reliance on foreign powers. No more pollution from refineries. A clean, renewable energy source that's available to almost everyone. Can the ocean really provide all this energy? Yes, it can do that and more.

How can the ocean produce all that energy? We can use the solar heat emanating from the water or we could harness the power of waves and tides. There are other ways as well, including using offshore wind and the very salt in the water.

As the sun's rays beat down upon the earth, they're absorbed and stored in both soil and water. Heat created in soil dissipates fairly quickly but the heat in ocean water is something else entirely. The water on top of the oceans warms up very nicely, but as you go deeper down, that heat doesn't follow you. As a matter of fact, the deeper you go, the colder the water. Now you have warm water on top and cold water below. At this point, most people say, "So what?" Scientists, on the other hand say, "Thermal energy!" To be perfectly honest, I can't explain how this thermal energy can be harnessed but scientists somehow use the temperature difference to crank a turbine. In turn, that turbine produces energy. Since the sun is the true source of all that power, we'll have energy until the sun's rays no longer reach the earth.

Another way we can extract energy from our oceans is by using the power of tides or waves. Scientists call this "mechanical energy" because it involves the physical moving of water and the use of mechanical apparatus. Instead of the sun being the source behind the energy, the moon and wind are the sources. The moon's gravitational pull creates the tides while wind creates the waves. Experts are working with turbines, pressurized water tubes as well as a number of other means of harvesting ocean currents. Unfortunately, using tides and waves doesn't produce constant energy.

There are many countries already harnessing the power of offshore wind. Offshore winds normally move a little quicker than those on land due to the lack of obstruction. Basically, wind turbines or windmills are set into the ocean floor and stick out over the surface of the water. The wind turns the blades of the turbines and generates electricity. This is an excellent form of clean renewable energy that several countries have been tapping into for many years.

You can even get energy from the salt in ocean water. Well, that isn't exactly true. When freshwater and saltwater meet, like where rivers spill out into the ocean, there is a difference in pressure. This pressure is called osmotic energy. The technology to exploit this energy is still in its infancy and hard to explain. It involves turning the freshwater leaving the river and becoming saltwater, but not much is known on this subject.

Of course, each of these new forms of energy has its problems. Much of the equipment required is bulky and awkward. Considering the source of energy in question, it needs to be in order to stand up to the constant pounding it has to face. Many environmental groups and local communities have resisted having this equipment put into place for those reasons. Also, it will be a long time before we have the technology to use ocean power for all our energy needs. With the help of solar, wind, and hydro power, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuel and other non-renewable sources by half within 30-40 years, say some experts.

There are still some questions that need answering before we leap into utilizing oceanic energy. What sort of impact, if any, will leaching off wave energy have on marine environments? Some worry about electricity leaking into the water and what affect it may have on marine life. There are also concerns about damage to the ocean floor from all this equipment being anchored down. These are questions that need answering before we tap into this endless supply of energy. Even with these questions, the prospects still look promising.