Wave energy???

Question

On this webpage http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/energy/energytypesrev5.shtml

it explains wave energy as "The movement of sea water in and out of a cavity on the shore compresses trapped air, driving a turbine."

Can anyone tell me what's that supposed to mean? Like really simplified? I'm supposed to do a geogaphy project on renewable energy sources so THANK YOU for any reply in advance!!! =D

Answer 1

Picture a big cave with water in it.  As waves come in the pressure rises in the cave and the water wants to move in (and up)  if you cut a hole from the top into the cave and put a generator where the air would come in and out of the cave as the waves come in and out.  The wind pressure created by the wave action could be collected by installing a generator in the tunnel.

Answer 2

Your Geography has nothing to do with this. Wave Energy is a mechanical engineering related activity

Answer 3

Water moves both ways turning a turbine generating electricity.