As phenomenal as it would be to see a single clean and inexpensive energy source created that would fulfill the world's requirements, I understand that we need to be realistic and develop a myriad of solutions. Each tailor fitted to its local environment. That's why its so exciting to see something like Pelamis wave power.

It is a perfect example of a new source that it custom made to particular set of circumstances. Just like geothermal works well where the earth's core heat is near the surface and tidal generators are most efficient where the differences between high and low tide are the greatest. Pelamis requires a minimum of 15kW of wave energy at a location to be viable but there are many locations which fit this requirement; including much of the Pacific coast of the Americas and the Atlantic coast in Europe and Africa.

Currently each generator can create enough energy to power about 500 homes. And they are only able to capture between 25 to 40% of the total energy available. Imagine what the second and third generations of this technology will be capable of. Very exciting indeed.