Ocean Power Technologies: Wave of the Future?

We have all heard of solar power, wind power and nuclear power - but have you ever heard of ocean power? Thats right, we are now capable of harnessing the kinetic energy provided by the ocean. There are already ocean power companies publicly traded as well.

One company using the kinetic energy of the ocean to produce power is Ocean Power Technologies (OPTT). The company utilizes the ocean's waves to propel a PowerBuoy up and down. This piston type action creates momentum that propels a generator. This generator is hooked up to an underwater power cable connecting to the shore. Ocean power is both efficient and environmentally friendly, free from any form of pollution. Best of all, the ocean's power potential is virtually limitless since waves are constantly occurring near the shoreline. The PowerBuoy system is extremely efficient and effective in generating power.

Environmental benefits of the PowerBuoy System include:

* Completely safe on the environment
* No harmful air-born waste emissions
* Zero noise or aesthetic pollution
* Safe to underwater ocean life

Over fifty ideal buoy farm locations exist across the world. The powerbuoy system can be applied almost anywhere, but is best applied in offshore locations near major city coastlines. Since the system requires an ocean depth of 100-150 feet, it is usually invisible, being 1-3 miles offshore. While solar and wind power can be unreliable, ocean energy is constant and almost one-hundred percent reliable. Furthermore, wave trends are predictable by satellite imagery since waves hundreds of miles away reach their destination in 2-3 days. In the event of storms, the PowerBuoy system automatically shuts itself down. It is this predictability, versatility and scalability that makes the system valuable.

PowerBuoy System Utilization:

1. Scalable to power plants in the hundreds of megawats
2. Desalination plants power
3. Hydrogen plant power
4. Oceanic and environmental monitoring

PowerBuoy System Documentary

Ocean power is just one of the many forms of alternative energy being developed. While these types of technologies and the underlying companies are very speculative, they can be reserved for the speculative part of your portfolio. Utilizing the ocean's kinetic energy could revolutionize the alternative energy industry. It has already been proven cleaner, safer and more cost effective than solar and wind powered systems.

Most importantly, the system is scalable to areas of high density populations near the world's coastline. People are finally starting to ealize how important alternative energy is for future economic growth. Looking at the chart below, it is easy to see the accumulation taking place in Ocean Power Technology (OPTT) stock. Shares are approaching former IPO prices, and should move much higher in the future with crude oil approaching $100 per barrel. Generating electricity from ocean's kinetic energy could be the wave of the future.

Disclosure: Author is long OPTT

Comments

[Nagly]

I am an enthusiastic advocate of alternate energy although I am only 13. I am curently doing a science fair project testing if it is feasable to power the Houston Metropoliton area using wave power. Thank you for this Helpfull information.