The Problem:
Current renewable energy development isn’t enough to meet climate targets. While offshore renewables (ORE) could supply double global electricity demand, research focuses overwhelmingly on single resources (like wind or waves) using inconsistent metrics. This leaves a critical gap: We don’t know which ORE types offer the most energy at any given location.
The Breakthrough:
This first-ever global cross-resource assessment standardized data from 661 studies (3,000+ locations) to compare six ORE types fairly using kW/m² (energy per square meter):
- Offshore Wind
- Wave Energy
- Ocean Currents (tidal/non-tidal)
- Offshore Solar
- Tidal Range
- Ocean Thermal (OTEC)
Key Findings:
- Massive Untapped Potential:
- Ocean currents have the highest average energy density (1.53 kW/m²) – 4.7× more than offshore wind (0.33 kW/m²).
- Offshore solar is highly consistent globally and often outperforms wind/waves (avg. 0.08 kW/m²).
- Research Mismatch:
- 76% of studies focus on wind/waves, yet these are not the highest-potential resources.
- Ocean currents are understudied (<20% of data).
- Offshore solar is virtually ignored (<1% of data).
- Hybrid Systems are Game-Changers:
- Adding solar panels to existing wave/wind sites could boost total energy potential by 200%+.
- Tidal currents dominate in specific high-flow zones (e.g., UK coasts, Philippines, Aleutian Islands), adding 185% more potential if developed.
- Global Impact:
- Tapping just 2% of the untapped current/solar potential could massively reduce CO₂ emissions.
- This could power 178 million homes – accelerating progress toward climate goals.
Why This Matters:
- Stop Guessing, Start Optimizing: Governments and developers often default to mature tech (wind/waves). This study proves that prioritizing currents and solar maximizes clean energy output.
- Equitable Energy Access: Coastal and island nations (especially fossil-fuel-dependent ones) could leverage these high-yield resources for energy security.
- Faster Climate Action: Redirecting R&D toward underutilized resources could shorten the path to net-zero emissions.
“The clean energy transition isn’t just about building more renewables – it’s about building the right ones in the right places. Our oceans hold keys we’ve barely begun to turn.”
Source
A global cross-resource assessment of offshore renewable energy, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 215, 115563, 2025-03-06
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