4 December 2012: The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Implementing Agreement on Ocean Energy Systems (OES) has released a new brochure, titled “An International Vision for Ocean Energy,” which puts forward the vision that an increase of installed wave and tidal energy capacity to 337 GW by 2050 can lead to the creation of 1.2 million direct jobs, and 1 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions savings.

OES’s vision has been developed in a strategic plan by the OES Executive Committee and is based on a Connect-Educate-Inspire-Facilitate action plan. The brochure indicates that four factors are critical for the successful implementation of this vision: high quality information; strong and effective communications; effective organization; and shared capability growth.

The brochure further provides information on: world energy supply and demand; ocean energy resources, distinguishing between ocean waves and swells, tidal range, tidal currents, ocean currents, ocean thermal energy, and salinity gradient power; ocean energy technologies for each of these energy resources; learning and cost reduction in ocean energy technologies; synergies with other sectors; benefits of ocean energy; markets for ocean energy, identifying grid-connected electricity, off-grid power for remote communities, and other uses such as desalination; policies to mature ocean energy technologies and make them more cost-effective; and challenges for uptake of ocean energy, including: the creation of a supportive policy environment; industry development; market development; technology development through continued research and development (R&D); improved understanding of environmental effects; and a clear and supportive planning framework. [Publication: An International Vision for Ocean Energy]