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New Wave Power Research Rising Off Oregon Coast
necro81 writes "A prototype buoy has been launched off the Oregon coast to try generating electrical power from the ever-present waves. The OSU device works like a giant shake-up flashlight. It is one of several competing designs to take advantage of a potential clean energy goldmine. It will be years before substantial power is contributed to the grid, but several companies have received permits to develop test platforms. The New York Times has an article that surveys the current outlook for wave energy, which it compares to wind energy's prospects back in the 1980s. Concerns about impacts to wildlife and fishing remain to be answered."
Yes it will probably have consequences - but nothing compared to what we've done on land. Most of the Earth is covered in water... and how much of that water is covered by buildings and streets and sidewalks? Not a whole lot compared to what we've done on land. And if people are concerned about using the energy of waves, they just haven't thought about it enough. Essentially what they're doing is moving the beach out to wherever these things go. When waves hit the beach the majority of their energy does not go back into the ocean.