Energy from the oceans (and rivers, using hy-drokinetic devices) could be big business. In fact, 2014 data from the Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Wind and Water Power Program at the U.S. Department of Energy quantifies the potential energy resources around the country. Wave energy is quantified at 1,851 TWh/year, river current at 1,381 TWh/year, tidal current at 445 TWh/year, and ocean current at 200 TWh/year. To help put these numbers into perspective, total electricity net consumption numbers from the U.S. Energy Information Administration reveal that in 2012 3,832TWh of electricity were consumed. That's right, there is enough potential in the above-mentioned U.S. waters to fully meet current consumption needs.
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