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Wave power uses the energy of waves as they hit the coast. Waves possess great energy. Experiments have proved that waves can provide electricity. However, there are problems in developing and building wave powered generators which are both cheap and efficient, as they must be strong enough to cope with storms while being light enough to work with small waves. The drawback is that these schemes can affect the habitat of birds and fish because they alter the tidal currents.
The first commercial wave power station in the world was recently built on the shoreline at Islay, in Scotland. The power of the waves is captured in a chamber which drives a turbine and creates power.
Other parts of the world use power of waves too. To see just how powerful waves can be, watch this video of a powerful tidal wave that comes twice a day up the Qiantang River in China. The local people who live there call it "The Black Dragon".
To find out more about wave power try this wave game.
