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Sea-surface Variations and Energy: Tidal and Wave Power

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Sea Surface Studies

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Abstract

The movements of the sea surface are a result of the various external or ‘body’ forces acting upon the mass of the ocean (see this vol., Chappell, Ch. 2 and Peltier, Ch. 3). These movements (waves and tides) may be characterised by the periodicities associated with them which can vary from a few seconds to several days. Vertical surface-water movements and the associated subsurface particle motions represent a reservoir of stored energy. This energy has a lifetime equal to the lifetime of the solar system and is inexhaustible. Various estimates have been made as to the size of this energy resource, and Isaacs (1979) shows that the quantities of energy available from all sea-surface movements would amount to the earth’s total energy requirements in the year 2000. A number of schemes have been proposed for the harnessing of this vast power resource but many show little understanding of the engineering problems involved. It is proposed to discuss this resource here under two main headings based on the two major groups of cyclic sea-surface movements. First are the long period motions associated with Tides which have a dominant periodicity of around 12.5 hours and secondly the Wind Generated Waves having periods varying between four and twenty seconds. Within each section a brief introduction to the basic physics will be presented to give an understanding of the processes involved. There will not be any detailed mathematics as only the principles are important. Only a small number of formulae will be given and the reader is directed to appropriate texts for proof.

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  1. A. W. Lewis
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  1. Department of Geography, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, Ireland

    R. J. N. Devoy

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© 1987 R.J.N. Devoy

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Lewis, A.W. (1987). Sea-surface Variations and Energy: Tidal and Wave Power. In: Devoy, R.J.N. (eds) Sea Surface Studies. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-1146-9_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-1146-9_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-015-1148-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-015-1146-9

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