Waves are created by winds blowing across the oceans – often hundreds of miles distant.

Waves are distinct from daily tidal surges created by the gravitational effects of the moon as the earth spins on its axis. Seasonal tidal variations are produced by gravitational effects of both the moon and the sun.

Even though wave energy is more concentrated than wind energy, it is a diffuse energy source.

Therefore, efficient capture of wave energy requires distributed wave energy capture devices.

This is the Atmocean WEST approach which we think will result in the lowest cost renewable energy.

The figure here shows wave heights at various locations around the world. Above 1 meter wave height is suitable for Atmocean WEST (all but the dark blue areas).