Oceans energy for the South Africa coastline

Abstract

As a renewable power resource, South Africa is currently investing in solar and wind power, with ocean energy already undergoing research and development. This study aimed is to investigate and development of a comprehensive techno-economic model for the assessment of ocean energy technologies, with various aspects, including criteria for the assessment and improvement of some shortcomings found in other techno-economic studies. Between the information required by the model and the actual information available in the case studies a relevant value of between 83 to 86 percent was found and the feasibility information provided by the model was thus demonstrated. This dissertation discusses various methods, including three principal techniques for the collection of energy from the oceans: wave power, tide power, and ocean thermal energy conversion. These findings were then used to compare costs to other renewables and non-renewables. The dissertation ends with the limitations of the model and recommendations for research into the future.