Ocean energy—an update

The oceans of the world, which comprise 71% of the earth's surface, provide a vast resource of renewable energy which has only been used in limited quantities. The feasibility of the extraction of energy from the ocean has been discussed and deemed possible, but with very few successful applications. However, as the world energy and economic situation changes, many countries are initiating R&D programmes to use the ocean waves, tides, currents, and temperature differentials to produce electricity. The transmission and utilization of this oceanderived electricity requires the integration of an ocean facility into an existing land-based electric power transmission grid. Extensive use of this energy source is still years in the future; however, prototype systems have been and are being developed so that this limitless supply can be successfully tapped.