| When it comes to wave and tidal power, the United | | | | dedicated collection points connected to the grid. |
| Kingdom has enormous potential to become a | | | | Reportedly, the device could capture wave power |
| worldwide leader in the proliferation and utilization of | | | | with 90% efficiency. Unfortunately, falling oil prices |
| the boundless renewable energy found in the ocean. | | | | and a miscalculation of the production cost doomed |
| The northern coast of the UK is one of the world's top | | | | Salter's Duck. It was never tested in the ocean. |
| locations capable of harnessing wave and tidal power | | | | Currently, a project is underway in the United Kingdom |
| in order to produce electricity. | | | | known as the Wave Hub. Its intention is to |
| Due to the United Kingdom's location in the northern | | | | demonstrate the methods by which wave power can |
| temperate zone, the waves which reach the nation's | | | | be collected and transformed into electricity. As part |
| shores are predictable. The winds far out at sea that | | | | of the Wave Hub, a variety of wave energy |
| create these waves are consistent and therefore | | | | converters will be used to demonstrate the operation |
| easily measured. Available power that can be | | | | of wave power's conversion to electricity. The |
| generated from the water's renewable energy is | | | | devices will be tested in other areas, and upon |
| anticipated from these measurements, and prime | | | | completion of testing, be connected to the grid at |
| locations for wave farms are chosen from these | | | | locations agreed upon by the government. Over the |
| findings. Thanks to the steady nature of the | | | | course of several years, electricity production will be |
| prevailing winds off the United Kingdom's north shore, | | | | studied in order to determine the most efficient water |
| the resulting waves' energy potential can be | | | | energy converters. Not only does this allow |
| anticipated five days in advance. | | | | researchers to develop effective methods by which to |
| Pondering water power as an alternative energy | | | | harness wave power, but the resulting electricity |
| source is nothing new in the United Kingdom. The oil | | | | produced by the research is fed to the grid. |
| crisis of the 1970s prompted many researchers to turn | | | | The island upon which the United Kingdom resides is |
| to the possibilities of renewable energy. At the | | | | an ideal place to harness and study the renewable |
| University of Edinburgh, Stephen Salter invented a | | | | energy found in wave power. There is wide range of |
| wave energy converter nicknamed Salter's Duck. | | | | Wave and Tidal Power Energy Manufacturers in the |
| This device was shaped like a teardrop and designed | | | | United Kingdom. |
| to bob on the ocean's waves. The bobbing motion | | | | Plus, suppliers and consultants are located all over, so |
| would swing a pendulum located inside the floating | | | | get started in making the most of renewable |
| "duck", producing electricity. This electricity would be | | | | resources now! |
| transferred to lines hanging from the floating device to | | | | |