Energy in Nature
For over 15 years, I’ve been photographing not only glaciers but also big waves. In Nazaré, I often found myself wondering: Just how much energy does a single wave actually contain?
The truth is: a Nazaré wave holds enormous energy potential. Right before our eyes, a force dances across the ocean that—if we could harness it—would change the world.
To make this energy more tangible, I have performed some calculations. They show the power contained in waves of varying heights, based on a typical wave period of 10 seconds.
The table below shows the power output per meter of wave crest, extrapolated to a 100-meter-wide wave. This allows for a comparison with the output of a typical nuclear power plant (approx. 1,000 MW) and the impressive Grande Dixence Dam in Switzerland (approx. 2,069 MW).
| Wave Height (Hs) | Power per meter of wave crest (kW/m) | Energy flux per meter of wave crest (joules per second per meter) | Power of a 100-meter front (MW) | Percentage of a typical nuclear power plant (1,000 MW) from a 100-meter distance | % of Grande Dixence (2,069 MW) from a 100-meter front |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 meters | 45 kW/m | 45,000 J/s per meter | 4.5 MW | 0.45% | approx. 0.22% |
| 5 meters | 125 kW/m | 125,000 joules per second per meter | 12.5 MW | 1.25% | approx. 0.60% |
| 10 meters | 500 kW/m | 500,000 joules per second per meter | 50 MW | 5.0% | approx. 2.42% |
| 25 meters | 3,125 kW/m | 3,125,000 joules per second per meter | 312.5 MW | 31.25% | approx. 15.10% |
Notes on the calculation
Power per meter of wave crest (kW/m): This is the average amount of energy transported per second through a one-meter-wide section of the wave.
Formula used: P ≈ 0.5 × Hs² × Te
Hs is the significant wave height (in meters) and Te is the wave energy period (here: 10 seconds).
Energy flux (joules per second per meter): Converted to the base unit of the International System of Units (1 kW = 1000 J/s).
Power of a 100-meter wave front (MW): An estimate of the total power that could theoretically be generated if the energy of a 100-meter-wide wave front were fully harnessed.
Percentage comparison: Shows the proportion of power that such a wavefront could generate relative to the power generated by a nuclear power plant or the Grande Dixence Dam.
The numbers speak for themselves
Even a “modest” wave front 100 meters wide with 10-meter-high waves can generate energy in the double-digit megawatt range—comparable to a medium-sized power plant or a large solar power plant. With the massive 25-meter waves off Nazaré, the theoretical output could exceed 300 MW. That is more than a quarter of the output of a modern nuclear reactor.
