NCHMCT JEE 2018 Question Paper with solutions for online practice

  According to the research findings of a team of American scientists published recently, the sea waves contain as much energy as the world is consuming at present. Scientists have found that through the application of two major devices called land-based systems and offshore devices, this source of energy can provide huge amount of electricity without cooling towers and pollution. Land-based systems include tapered channels and fixed oscillation water column (OWC) devices whereas offshore devices include floating OWC devices, buoys, etc. Through these devices the mechanical energy of ocean waves is absorbed and converted into electrical energy. The wave power potential depends on numerous factors such as the device’s capability to harness long wavelengths, period of waves and depth of water where they arise. Compared to conventional power stations which require greater space and are difficult to maintain in critical situations, wave power devices are highly modular, cost effective and easier to upgrade. As the recent findings suggest, sea wave energy has much greater potential to be used for electricity generation than the hitherto known sources of renewable energy. Moreover; most of the renewable energy systems require hundreds of square acres of useful land for their installation. But in case of wave energy devices, ‘space crunch’ can never be a serious problem.