1157: Why Hasn’t Wave Energy Gotten Its Sea Legs Yet? episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 1, 2025 · 18 MIN

1157: Why Hasn’t Wave Energy Gotten Its Sea Legs Yet?

from Science Friday · host Science Friday

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.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.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Nov 1, 2025

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It’s hard to convert energy from the ocean into electricity, thanks to a tough regulatory environment and, well, the ocean.

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1157: Why Hasn’t Wave Energy Gotten Its Sea Legs Yet?

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