Ocean Energy

The document outlines various ocean energy technologies, including tidal dams, fences, turbines, wave energy converters, and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). It highlights existing installations in France, China, and Canada, and notes that while these resources are renewable and pollution-free, they face challenges such as high capital costs, specific site requirements, and potential impacts on sea life migration.

• Several large-scale tidal dams are operational, including a 240 MW facility in France active since 1966, a 100 MW dam in China active since 1987, and a 20 MW dam in Canada active since 1984. The La Rance station in France provides 90 percent of Brittany’s electricity.
• Ocean energy technologies vary by resource: tidal dams require a high-low tide difference of over 16 feet; tidal turbines are most effective in water 60 to 100 feet deep for base-load power; and OTEC requires a temperature difference of at least 35°F between surface and deep-sea water, typically found in tropical regions.
• While ocean energy prevents greenhouse gas emissions and reduces dependence on foreign oil and gas, it is currently hindered by high capital costs due to the immaturity of the technologies and the need for new transmission infrastructure to move electricity from offshore sites to land.
• Environmental concerns are specific to the technology used; tidal dams and fences can block migratory sea life and cause silt buildup, whereas tidal turbines and coastal wave generators have limited environmental impacts once built.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2006). Ocean Energy. https://www.eesi.org/files/ocean_energy_0506.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Ocean Energy. 2006. https://www.eesi.org/files/ocean_energy_0506.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=Ocean Energy |date=May 2006 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/ocean_energy_0506.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2006ocean, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{Ocean Energy}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2006}, month = may, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/ocean_energy_0506.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }