Introduction

Some look to the ocean and take in seascapes that calm the mind and soothe the senses, while others see a bounty of living resources and biodiversity. The oceans have supported great societies and civilizations, and have been the setting for innumerable historical events. But more and more, people are looking to the sea for something the land is increasingly unable to provide at the levels we demand: energy. Oceans offer a vast array of energy options, whether conventional sources of oil and gas, renewable energy such as wind, wave and tidal, or radical new forms of energy such as algal-based biofuels. As our energy demands continue to grow and our conventional sources dwindle or become inaccessible, the oceans will be looked to more and more to meet our energy needs.

The oceans span nearly three quarters of the earth’s surface, and directly support 70% of the planet’s photosynthesis. There is thus a huge resource base and vast amounts of space in which to derive and exploit energy. Solar, mechanical (wave and tidal), thermal, and wind energy can all be generated at sea, to supplement conventional sources of non-renewables such as oil and gas. And the oceans can support biofuel production as well.

It is true that whether we are at or near peak oil is a matter of great controversy. What is indisputable is that new supplies and even new forms of energy are needed to meet ever-growing demands, reduce the risks of continuing to emit high levels of greenhouse gases, and allow countries to develop energy-independence. The ocean of energy is there for the taking, and if we use it wisely and carefully, ocean energy may well be central to supporting human life on the planet for many centuries to come.