European Marine Energy Resource
The European Marine Energy Resource is vast, with recent research suggesting the total Wave Energy produced in the North and West European sector as 2,800TWh [1]. This value considers only the theoretical resource, or total energy stored in the Ocean's waves based on hydrodynamic models of the region. Europe's practical resource, that which is exploitable based on current technology and taking into account other marine users and environmental restrictions is thought to be approximately 142TWh [2]. This compares to the practical resource of Tidal Energy at 36TWh [3]. Considering the projected European population growth, it is likely that this resource could support up to 15% of the region's electricity demand.
The European Ocean Energy Association (EU-OEA) Roadmap has generated predictions for the development of installed Tidal Current and Wave capacity between 2020 and 2050. Table 1 displays the EUOEA's Marine Energy installed capacity targets for this period.
The European Ocean Energy Association (EU-OEA) Roadmap has generated predictions for the development of installed Tidal Current and Wave capacity between 2020 and 2050. Table 1 displays the EUOEA's Marine Energy installed capacity targets for this period.
Year | Units | 2020 | 2025 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tidal Current | GW | 1.5 | 2.8 | 3 | 12.4 | 16 |
Wave | GW | 6.1 | 11.5 | 15.3 | 50.5 | 65 |
Total | GW | 7.6 | 14.3 | 18.3 | 62.9 | 81 |
Figure 4: Wello Penguin Device in Transport [5]
[1] G. Mork et al. Assessing the Global Wave Energy Potential. In 29th International Conference on Ocean Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering. Oceanor, July 2011
[2] Knowledge Transfer Network. Resource, Statistics and Technologies - Marine Renewables. https://connect.innovateuk.org/c/documentlibrary/getfile?uuid=da329324-71f0-49ef-a02e-c4dd0d8d4104groupId=57143.
[3] European Ocean Energy Association. Draft European Ocean Energy Roadmap. p9, 2009.
[2] Knowledge Transfer Network. Resource, Statistics and Technologies - Marine Renewables. https://connect.innovateuk.org/c/documentlibrary/getfile?uuid=da329324-71f0-49ef-a02e-c4dd0d8d4104groupId=57143.
[3] European Ocean Energy Association. Draft European Ocean Energy Roadmap. p9, 2009.