A surge of new U.S. patents over the past several years spotlights the rapid push underway to develop ocean energy.
Issued patents have risen four fold in six years.
Major hurdles still confront these efforts to mine energy from the wind, waves and shifting tides. The greatest are the operational and maintenance challenges brought on by the corrosive nature of salt water and the storm power of wind and surf.
But few doubt the huge potential. In 2008, less than 10 MW of ocean energy generating capacity was installed. Estimates show that hydro resources, including the oceans, could generate up to 250 GW in 20 years.
In the more distant future, oceans are thought to be able to supply as much as 100,000 terawatt hours of energy per year, a gargantuan total.
According to a study by the law firm Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox, the number of ocean energy related patents rose four fold in the past six years, from two a quarter in 2002 to eight in 2008. Key recipients include General Electric, SRI International, Northern Power Systems and Verdant Power, which is developing a tidal turbine for New York City’ East River.
Since 1976, there have been a total of 1,487 patents issued in wind energy, 677 in wave energy and 299 in tidal energy. Among the top innovations are:
*Lightweight, durable composites for underwater structural gear;
*Bi-stable materials with two different states depending upon conditions to enhance the aerodynamics and hydrodynamics of devices, such as turbine blades.
According to Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox, the industry is ripe for competition. No dominant companies exist and patents show technologies approaching the point of commercialization.
