Harnessing the force of waves as a source of energy is a technique that has been hardly developed as yet. The European Union in 2000 set up the thematic network WaveNet, which publishes the latest research in this field and the future of this energy as an ecological alternative to organic sources.

WaveNet is made up of academics, industries and research centres of new EU countries: Sweden, Greece, France, the UK, Denmark, Ireland, Holland, Portugal and Italy.

In Europe, marine waters produce far more energy in the north, the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea and in Scandinavian waters.

There are various techniques although it is uncertain which is the most beneficial. Energy can be obtained via tides. The upward and downward movement of water produces an energy that is transformed into electricity in sea-based plants. The system consists of pressuring the moment of high tide and freeing it, forcing it to pass through turbines as it moves to low tide.

The first patent for producing energy from waves was registered in 1799, although no solid projects were developed until the 1970s.

Spanish project
In Spain a group of researchers from the Centro de Dise�o de Equipos Industriales de la Universidad Polit�cnica de Catalu�a, lead by the inventor Jos� Antonio Serrano, have come up with a simple system for producing renewable energy from wave power. Its creators state that the CO2 emissions are negligible and their ecologic impact minimal.

The aim is to harness the floatability and displacement of a buoy. The same cable that fixes the buoy to the sea bed is connected to the mechanism installed in the upper part. The force and movement is then transmitted to an air compressor, a water pump and an electric generator.

Current projects in other countries
In Scotland, the government states that the tides will be harnessed to produce enough electricity to cover the needs of 15 million inhabitants. The first wave-powered European turbine will be installed there, and which currently generates enough energy for 400 houses.

In Brazil, the government and Federal Universidad of R�o de Janeiro have joined up with the Eletrobr�s company to develop the first South American electric plant using wave power. The plant will have a capacity of 500 kilowatts and will be up and running in 2006.

In the U.S., the Natural Resources (INRI) company has successfully tried out a new system to harness wave power known as "Seadog" and capable of working with low wave power.

Did you know �?
-From 1581 to 1822, a large waterwheel powered by the tide functioned in London, which pumped water to the centre of the city.
-Around 30 homes in northern Norway have electricity thanks to a submarine plant that harnesses the force of the tides. It is located in the Kvalsund canal, near the city of Hammerfest, where there are differences of up to 10 metres between low and high tide.
-Marine waves are formed in specific points on our planent and are propagated in a radial manner.  The area around the Azores is one of the most important.
-It has been calculated that a 7.50 metre high and 1.50 metre deep wave over calm waters, travelling at a speed of 15 metres per second has a power of 700 horsepower of steam per metre stretch of crest. A wave of these characteristics stretching out for 1 kilometre should contain 700 horsepower of steam. This explains the disastrous effects of sea storms.