Why Hasn’t Wave Energy Gotten Its Sea Legs Yet?
October 31, 2025
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We’ve figured out how to harness renewable energy from many natural systems, like solar, wind, and geothermal power. But what about the ocean’s waves? It might seem like converting wave power into electricity on a large scale would’ve been figured out by now, but the tech is actually just getting its sea legs. Why has it been so hard to develop? And just how promising is it?
Host Flora Lichtman talks with Oregon Public Broadcasting reporter Jes Burns, who reported on Oregon’s massive wave energy test site; and then she checks in with Deborah Greaves, an offshore renewable energy researcher, for a look at what’s happening in the rest of the world.
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Segment Guests
Jes Burns is a science and environment reporter and host of “All Science. No Fiction.” at Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Dr. Deborah Greaves is a professor of ocean engineering at the University of Plymouth in England.
Segment Transcript
The transcript is being processed. It will be available 2-3 days after this story’s publication date.
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