Some useful references are in this document.
http://www.wave-energy.net/Library/T...Renewables.pdf
quoting
"The accessible resource (wave power) in deep water was estimated to be
600-700 TWh/year and that for the nearshore at 100-140 TWh/year."

"The accessible tidal stream resource for the most suitable sites in the UK
(including the Channel Islands) is estimated to be approximately 36
TWh/year."

So, the potential harvest is enormous & only limited by technology,
investment and nimbyism. One little bonus of tidal and wave systems I'd also
guess is the possibilty of creating a safe haven for North Sea fish stocks
to regenerate without dredge netting pressure. That should please the
puffin-watchers ;o) .

From wiki : - By 2004, total electricity production stood at 382.7 TWh (up
23.7% compared to 309.4 TWh in 1990), generated from the following sources:
a.. gas - 39.93% (0.05% in 1990)
b.. coal - 33.08% (67.22% in 1990)
c.. nuclear - 19.26% (18.97% in 1990)
d.. renewables - 3.55% (0% in 1990)
e.. hydroelectric - 1.10% (2.55% in 1990)
f.. imports - 1.96% (3.85% in 1990)
g.. oil - 1.12% (6.82% in 1990)
Ross


"David B" wrote in message
news

"Gianna" wrote in message
...
David B wrote:
"newsposter" wrote in message
...
It's probably stupid idealistic naiveity but I've often wondered why
renewables can't eventually produce 100% of the world's energy
requirements.

Enough pump storage systems could surely buffer the demands of the
'Eastenders' broadcast on a cold Boxing day.
Enough tidal power systems would surely provide an entirely
predictable

A company which operates near here - http://www.engb.com/ has spent a
lot of their own and gov money on tidal energy.

They have concluded that it is not a viable source of significant
amounts
of energy


Meanwhile, at Scapa Flow, the reverse applies and wave energy is
considered both viable and highly significant. The possibility of
exporting surplus to the mainland (Europe) has been mentioned.


--
Gianna
(in the interests of balance)

You got a reference I could look at.
Google comes up mainly with academic references
The Engineering Business did a lot of testing on Orkney
David B