ABSTRACT
Very large energy fluxes can occur in deep water sea waves. It is shown in §11.3 below that the power per unit width in such waves is given by:
r p
′ = ∝P g H T
H T 32
Hence waves with long period T (~10 s) and large crest-to-trough height H (~4 m) have energy fluxes commonly averaging between 50 and 70 kW per metre width of oncoming wave, which makes them of considerable interest for power generation. Fig. 11.1 indicates wave energy distribution in the oceans and the continental coastlines with substantial wave energy resources.
