To talk to someone about the report in more detail, get sample pages, or simply order it click here. 

A total of 86 MW of wave and tidal current stream capacity will be installed worldwide in the next five years according to a new study, "The World Wave & Tidal Market Report 2009-2013", published by energy business analysts Douglas-Westwood. Speaking at the launch of the first edition of the report recently, Adam Westwood, Renewable Energy Manager at Douglas-Westwood stated that, “Both the wave power and tidal current stream energy sectors are emerging industries. Whilst development activities run back some 30 years, with over 200 concept technologies, commercialization of leading technologies in both sectors is only just beginning."

The report, which runs to almost 200 pages, provides a review of different technological concepts and devices employed in both existing and future projects, with analysis of the impact of current and new technologies on the industry and identifies the key players in the business. It also identifies and analyses the very different market mechanisms in each country, which impinge directly on the viability of wave and tidal technolgy in the area.

The report uses the same in-depth modeling process that is adopted for others in this series, says the company, and presents worldwide market forecasts for both sectors for the 2009-2013 period. It also includes five years of historic data for comparison.

"The past five years", says Westwood, "have been characterized by small-scale and full-scale deployments from a wide number of technology developers. The next five years will, however, see commercial-scale activity increasing significantly. A total of 135 units are forecast for deployment over the period. Of these, 74 are commercial-scale units – 55% of the total.

"The UK is forecast to be the biggest market, and is expected to install 51 MW of the total capacity (60%). The UK is so dominant due to three main factors. Firstly, the excellent wave and tidal resources that exist around the coastline; secondly, the market mechanisms and funding in place, which are comparatively strong and give more investor confidence than in other countries; and thirdly, the UK is home to a large number of wave & tidal device developers, including some of the early market leaders.

"The USA is expected to be the second largest market, with 11 MW (12%) of overall capacity. Portugal with 9 MW (10%) and Canada with 6 MW (7%) are the other most significant countries."

The industry also faces many challenges, says the report. These include survivability and reliability, cost reduction, attracting private investment, supply chain stimulation, and development of market mechanisms to support deployment and development activities.

To talk to someone about the report in more detail, get sample pages, or simply order it click here

The World Wave & Tidal Market Report 2009-2013, is available from energy business analysts Douglas-Westwood at £2,600