High hopes for ocean wave energy

A new Australian-developed system is to begin generating electricity from ocean waves later this year, with a report showing three-quarters of Australia’s energy needs could be driven by renewables before 2025. Dr Tom Denniss, a former teacher, with a PhD in oceanography, is now focussed on harnessing the power of the sea - co-founding Wave Swell Energy in the hope of demonstrating for the first time that ocean power can be commercially viable. He’s designed an ocean-based unit to generate electricity from waves, with his pilot project taking place on King Island between the Australian mainland and Tasmania.