Europe's Wave, Tidal Potential High, But Pump Primer Lacking

摘要

The almost limitless energy of the seas could - in theory -? provide 15% of Europe's electricity within decades, according to industry lobby group European Ocean Energy Association (EOEA). Its new roadmap Oceans of Energy argues that, with the right mix of public and private investment, the nascent sector could deploy up to 3.6 gigawatts of wave and tidal energy capacity by 2020 and a massive 188 GW by 2050. Far more predictable than wind, tides could generate more than 9 terawatt hours per year of near-baseload green electricity within a decade and 645 TWh by 2050, accounting for 15% of projected demand.