Development prospects for marine energy

Power deployment from waves, tides and marine current still represents a strategic resource for the future of energy. The problem that must be overcome in the short-medium term regards cost abatement

In the future, marine energy (hydrokinetic, wave, current and tidal power) can play a major role in responding to growing energy needs. A study by Frost & Sullivan (Hydro, Wave and Tidal Power – Market Penetration e Roadmapping) explains that this is also true because this source is more reliable and predictable than other sources like wind and solar, with a potential that can meet 20% of the current global electricity demand.

The report studies the evolution of marine technologies and their commercialization over the next ten years, especially regarding the main obstacle that must overcome by technology, namely high costs. Frost & Sullivan explain that this difficulty will be overcome only by combining private investment and sufficient public funding. The latter is taking place in the UK, where the government has created a fund to support the construction of prototypes, while financing research aimed at testing the various developed technologies.

The main goal is therefore cost decline. This is why a number of projects that were already in an advanced testing stage have experienced a setback or an indefinite halt. To this regard, it must be considered that marine energy investments are currently estimated in about 2.5 million euros per installed MW, which is a considerable amount but not higher than the funding already granted for other technologies.

(July 2010)