Power/energy: Exploiting wave power: To realize the promise, engineers must deal with unique power-transfer modes, erratic seas, and unfavorable economics

One of the more promising renewable sources of electric power is ocean waves. And one of the best-placed countries for extracting this power is the United Kingdom. Waves along the Atlantic coast here are among the most energetic in the world. Typically 2-3 m high, these waves have a period of 10 s (a wavelength of 150 m), and on the average they contain between 40 to 90 kW of power for every meter of wave front. With 1000-1500 km of coastline, the U.K.'s potential for wave power is larger than that of any other renewable power resource available to the country.