Wave power as an infrastructural investment in a new supersystem for a diversified energy-mix has the great potential to be the most eco-friendly and cost-effective way to Net Zero.
COP 28 represented a milestone of change when it declared that renewable energy dominance can and will prevail over fossil fuel dependence. With the essential need for diversifying there was acceptance that the transition must allow a seamless transference of dependence across all sectors to avoid destabilising economies and creating voids of supply and employment.
Energy projections see an energy system in 2030 in which clean technologies play a significantly greater role than today. But more will still be needed to keep alive the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C, which must not itself be a finite goal. The laudable target must be achieved but the idea only intends to slow the rate of warming and consideration must be given to halting the rising temperature. Nature can certainly help directly and indirectly.
The direct approach is to reverse the human devastation of eco-systems over many millennia and while some is reversible total amends are impossible. One of the most accessible is the planting of vegetation, such as the Nimr Wetlands in Oman, and the planting of billions of trees, must be considered but be balanced against the needs for agricultural land.
Part of the indirect approach includes better management of current systems and grids and an example is the Rabt interconnection project in Oman. The key part is harnessing nature through technology such as with light, wind, and increasingly hydrogen, but the least yet considered but arguably one of the most constant is wave energy.
78% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans, and waves have the potential for energy with the reliability of a constantly charged battery; and yet the potential is largely untouched. Predictions indicate the potential can be greater than the current global electricity requirement; and the immediate accessibility is substantial.
A supporting "supersystem" concept is possible as a strategic framework to fortify the path towards a sustainable and diversified economy. This supersystem encapsulates the ability to balance resilience, and environmental sustainability and comprises three bases in a forward-thinking approach.
First base is the emphasis on large-scale production of renewable energy to achieve 30% of electricity needs by 2030. Second base centers on storage solutions, emphasizing hydrogen and batteries. Wave power integration is the third base which would significantly improve the baseload of the entire system. The synergistic combination of solar, wind, and wave power minimizes reliance on expensive storage, ensuring economic viability.
Norwegian company Havkraft is at the global forefront of strategic wave energy conversion technology and their research and demonstration of capability is now well advanced. The Havkraft concept is to be the technology provider and is now actively looking at strategic partners who would own a national project with around 80% of the total being of in country value.
Incorporating this triple based supersystem aligns seamlessly with providing a comprehensive, resilient, and sustainable approach to energy and by embracing wave power as a fundamental component, countries with suitable wave potential such as Oman can position themselves as leaders in the global shift towards clean energy while realizing the vision of a net-zero future by 2050.
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