Marine Renewables: wave and tidal current technology progress

SYNOPSIS Wave and tidal current power technologies are developing rapidly around the world, with over 60 projects underway, about a third of them in the UK. How quickly they can deliver commercial energy will depend not just of the success of technologists and developers in meeting the practical challenges, but also on the level of financial and institutional support given to help them become economic. The potential is significant—at least 20% of UK electricity could come from these sources, and similar contributions could be made elsewhere in the world, with, in general, relatively low environmental impacts. This paper reviews progress so far.