Are salter ducks and wave power a viable economic way of solving the engery crisis?

Question

Are salter ducks and wave power the way forward?

are they economically viable?

How much energy could they provide?

Where is suitable for salter ducks to be placed?

I have heard rumours about research on salter ducks being supressed...some comsiracies flyin around...

...but Are salter ducks and wave power a viable economic way of solving the engery crisis?

I would appreciate answers and sources on this thank you very much!

Answer 1

There are two major problems:

- Constructing wave power capturing devices that can survive storm damage and saltwater corrosion. Likely sources of failure include seized bearings, broken welds, and snapped mooring lines. Knowing this, designers may create prototypes that are so overbuilt that materials costs prohibit affordable production.

- High total cost of electricity: wave power will only be competitive when total cost of generation (p/kWhr) is reduced. The winning team will be the one that develops the lowest-cost system (which includes the primary converter, power takeoff system, mooring system, installation & maintenance procedures)

The wave power industry has benefited in recent years from increases in support from governments, universities, and venture capital. Commercial power projects using wave power technologies are now under construction and scheduled for completion in 2007 and 2008.