9.3 Energy Resources
The ocean offers both fossil fuel resources (offshore oil/gas) and renewable energy (wind, waves, tides, thermal gradients). The energy transition is driving rapid growth in offshore renewables.
Offshore Oil & Gas
Shallow Water
Continental shelf (<200m). Fixed platforms. Mature technology. Gulf of Mexico, North Sea.
Deep Water
200-1500m depth. Floating platforms. Brazil, West Africa, Gulf of Mexico.
~30%
Of global oil production
~25%
Of global gas production
3000m+
Ultra-deep water record
Marine Renewables
Offshore Wind
Fastest growing. Fixed and floating turbines. >60 GW installed. Target: 2000 GW by 2050.
Wave Energy
~2 TW global potential. Multiple device types. Still pre-commercial. High resource in temperate zones.
Tidal Energy
Predictable but site-limited. Barrages and turbines. ~100 MW global capacity.
OTEC
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion. Uses temperature gradient. Tropics only. Low efficiency but huge resource.
Python: Wave Power
#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""energy_resources.py - Wave energy calculations"""
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
def wave_power(H_s, T_e, rho=1025, g=9.81):
"""
Wave power flux (kW per meter of wave crest)
H_s: significant wave height (m)
T_e: energy period (s)
"""
return (rho * g**2 * H_s**2 * T_e) / (64 * np.pi) / 1000
# Wave conditions
H_s = np.linspace(1, 8, 50) # Significant wave height (m)
T_e = np.array([6, 8, 10, 12]) # Energy period (s)
plt.figure(figsize=(10, 6))
for T in T_e:
P = wave_power(H_s, T)
plt.plot(H_s, P, lw=2, label=f'T_e = {T} s')
plt.xlabel('Significant Wave Height (m)')
plt.ylabel('Wave Power (kW/m)')
plt.title('Wave Energy Resource')
plt.legend()
plt.grid(True, alpha=0.3)
# Regional wave power estimates
regions = {
'Scotland': (3.0, 9.0),
'Portugal': (2.5, 8.0),
'Hawaii': (2.0, 8.0),
'Australia (SW)': (2.5, 10.0)
}
print("\nRegional wave power estimates (kW/m):")
for region, (H, T) in regions.items():
P = wave_power(H, T)
print(f" {region}: {P:.1f} kW/m")