Power resource estimate of ocean surface waves

Abstract

The distribution of wave energy and power as functions of longitude and latitude are presented for the Northern Hemisphere at 12Z, October 2, 1975. Both the large peak of the distribution in the Atlantic Ocean and the smaller peak in the Pacific Ocean are found to be at longitudes towards the eastern end of the ocean basins. This ‘eastern accumulation’ of wave energy and power offers interesting contrast to the western intensification of currents. Distribution of wave power with latitude shows peaks of wave power in the mid-latitudes. The total surface wave energy in the seas of thw world for the same time is estimated to be 1600 × 10 15 J. The corresponding total wave power estimate is 90 × 10 15 W. The rate of renewal of wave power is estimated to bs 10 12–10 13 W, about the present level of world power consumption.