World progress in wave energy—1988

SYNOPSIS The energy crises of the 'seventies threatened the standard of living of the developed countries and led to vigorous research into a variety of possible replacements for fossil fuel—particularly for oil. Sea waves were one of the more novel of the renewable resources which were taken seriously. After a brief historical introduction the paper discusses wave climate, the types of device, means of reaction, power conversion mechanisms and survival techniques. The final section gives some advice to potential customers. The paper is based on a presentation made at the 10th Anniversary Conference of the Philippines National Academy of Science and Technology in July 1988.