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Buoy Parks are the Wave of the Future (continued)

At other locations, hydraulic buoys are being developed which will harness wave energy at less-than-optimal locations.  For instance, Florida’s Gulf Stream current flows at nearly ten billion gallons per second.  But, the location isn’t quite hospitable to buoy parks due to its heavy traffic and inaccessible ocean floors.  So any proposed buoy parks would have to be closer to land, where the ocean current is not quite as forceful. The use of the hydraulic buoys will help generate energy even at locations that don’t produce great wave power compared to the Oregon coast.

If buoy parks could provide all of the world’s energy, then why aren’t they being used in full force yet?  Well, the technology is just in the first stages of development.  In fact, a recent setback occurred when a $2 million test buoy sank to the ocean floor just off the Oregon coast. The buoy parks also pose a potential hazard to commercial ocean traffic and fishing vessels.  In fact, some are worried that the entire fishing industry at some locations would suffer greatly because the buoy parks would use the same waters as those most desired by fishermen.  The environmental effects of placing so many buoys in a small area cannot be accurately determined at this point in time without further study.

Despite the drawbacks, buoy parks are getting much support as energy costs continue to rise.  While still more expensive, then say, coal, the primary source of wave energy (the ocean current) is absolutely free.  So, the entire monetary cost lies in the research and development, and in the materials used.  Private firms worldwide are joining with the educational institutions and government agencies, as they see a great opportunity to not only make money, but also to establish a reputation for being “green”.