Disappointment or a pause before a new start in marine energy?

The world's oceans contain so much energy that they could cover the electricity consumption of humanity in principle. Given the hundreds of millions of years of their existence, this energy is inexhaustible. Since about 2010, a race has begun to develop power plants that convert ocean energy, but then disappointment quickly began to spread due to the high cost and reliability of various devices. Northwest Denmark, Hanstholm. There is a lot of wind and waves here. And sometimes very, very high waves. The largest pier of the harbor, forming a flat metal structure on four piles 300 meters from the coast. Two large ball buoys protrude from the side and move up and down in the Wavestar sea state, the so-called prototype wave power plant.

Today, after almost two decades, the prototype has been dismantled, and the company is going bankrupt. Other projects to collect electricity in the sea were similar: Pelamis, for example, a kind of sea snake, whose barrel-shaped limbs moved relative to each other in the state of the sea, and hydraulics turned this into electricity. Or Oyster, an artificial oyster – a giant flap that has been opened and closed by the surf. But all these systems have not progressed beyond the prototype stage. And this is despite the fact that fifteen years ago everything looked very promising. Why?

The main reasons for the suspension of the implementation of large-scale ocean renewable energy projects since 2010 are as follows:

1. Technical Challenges and Reliability

Many prototypes, such as the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter in Portugal (2008-2009), faced mechanical failures due to extreme conditions. For example, hydraulic systems suffered damage during storms, and corrosion reduced the lifespan of components. The AquaBuOY system in the US (2004) demonstrated low energy conversion efficiency, with a КПД of only 15-20% due to suboptimal design. nytimes.com

2. Financial Barriers

• High Capital Costs: Projects like Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (UK) were canceled in 2018 due to a lack of government funding, despite an estimated capacity to power 155,000 homes. The cost of tidal stations reached up to $10 million/MW.

• Long Payback Periods: Return on investment stretched to 15-25 years, deterring private investors.

• Reduced Public Funding: EU R&D spending on ocean energy dropped from €3.84 billion (2007-2019) to €1.2 billion in the 2020s. thegreenage.co.uk

3. Environmental and Regulatory Constraints

• Impact on Marine Life: Noise during installation (up to 160 dB) disrupted the behavior of cetaceans, leading to 2-3 year delays for ecological assessments.

• Visual and Spatial Conflicts: 37% of tidal lagoon projects in the EU were rejected due to tourism zone overlaps. tos.org

4. Grid Integration Issues

The intermittent nature of wave energy (Capacity Factor 25-35%) required expensive battery systems. For instance, the MeyGen project in Scotland (2016) allocated 22% of its budget to Li-ion storage. offshore-energy.biz

Perspectives

Despite setbacks, the sector shows signs of revival:

• Technological Innovations: Graphene coatings for corrosion resistance and digital twins for testing.

• Hybrid Systems: Combining wind and wave energy to stabilize output.

• Cost Reduction: Projected decrease in Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for tidal stations to $90/MWh by 2025 (-40% since 2010). etipocean.eu verifiedmarketreports.com

These developments suggest a potential resurgence, albeit with continued focus on overcoming initial challenges.

Analysis of HYPOT Technology as a Competitive Solution

The Hydro Power Tower (HYPOT) technology is positioned as a breakthrough in ocean renewable energy, addressing key challenges through innovative design and engineering solutions. Here’s a detailed analysis:

1. Cost Reduction and LCOE

• Simplified Mechanics: Unlike complex wave or tidal systems, HYPOT uses a vertical water column within a central tower, reducing material costs and maintenance. For comparison, MeyGen’s underwater turbines required 39% of the budget for spare parts and unplanned repairs.

• Projected LCOE: Estimated at $70-90/MWh by 2030, HYPOT matches coal ($50-100/MWh) and nuclear ($90-130/MWh). Current wave energy LCOE ranges from $150-300/MWh. theconversation.com

2. Enhanced Reliability

• Extreme Condition Resistance: Designed for waves up to 15 meters, HYPOT outperforms systems like Pelamis, which failed at 6-meter waves. Graphene-polymer composites extend lifespan to 30-40 years.

• Capacity Factor: Achieves 45-55% efficiency by combining tidal and wave cycles, compared to wind’s 35-45%. scirp.org

3. Energy Predictability

• 24/7 Operation: Utilizes both diurnal tides and constant wave motion, reducing reliance on energy storage. Hybrid systems (HYPOT + wind) cut battery needs by 40%.

• Grid Stability: Provides baseload power, complementing intermittent solar and wind sources.

4. Environmental Sustainability

• Minimal Footprint: Does not block fish migration paths unlike tidal barrages. Operational noise is <90 dB, within EU marine mammal protection standards.

• Zero Emissions: Carbon-neutral operation without radioactive waste, unlike nuclear plants. mdpi.com

5. Infrastructure Integration

• Repurposing Oil Platforms: Conversion of decommissioned rigs (costing $500M-$1B) reduces installation expenses by 20-30%. This aligns with North Sea projects adapting platforms for offshore wind. thepricer.org

Comparative Analysis with Traditional Sources

Conclusion

HYPOT’s unique design overcomes historical barriers in ocean energy, offering a triple advantage:

1. Economic parity with fossil fuels by 2030.

2. Reliability through storm-resistant materials and hybrid energy capture.

3. Ecological safety with minimal disruption to marine ecosystems.

However, widespread adoption requires:

• Policy Support: Similar to the $10M grant for MeyGen Phase 1A.

• Standardization: To reduce permitting delays, which took 7 years for Swansea Bay.

With these enablers, HYPOT could become the first ocean energy technology to achieve grid parity and mass deployment.