ABSTRACT
World energy consumption has been rising considerably and since traditional methods of energy consumption are contributing seriously to environmental problems there is an urgent need for non-polluting power generation.Wave energy is considered as a clean source of energy, with low environmental impacts, in particular it is seen as a big source of energy not involving large CO2 emissions. However, difficulties facing wave power developments must be recognized, such as irregularities in wave amplitude, phase and direction, which makes difficult for a device to obtain maximum efficiency, and structural loading in the event of extreme weather conditions. Nevertheless, the advantages of wave energy are clear; it combines crucial economic, environmental, ethical and social factors (Clément et al. 2002).
