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Ocean Wave Power & Energy Flux Calculator

Calculate wave power per metre of crest, energy density and annual yield from a wave energy array.

Last reviewed by the myCalculator Editorial Team

Input Parameters

m
s

The energy period, typically about 0.9 × Tp for a JONSWAP spectrum.

m
%

Real wave energy converters typically capture 20% to 40% of incident flux.

Calculation Results

Wave Power per Metre of Crest
24.53 kW/m
Total Power Across Array
2453 kW (2.453 MW)
Resource Rating
Moderate — viable for nearshore devices
Captured Power at 30% Efficiency
735.9 kW
Annual Energy Yield
6451 MWh/year
Equivalent Homes Powered
~1178 Australian homes
Mean Energy Density
3.93 kJ/m²
Group Velocity (energy transport)
6.25 m/s
Phase Velocity (crest speed)
12.49 m/s
Deep-Water Wavelength
99.9 m
Summary: Hs 2.5 m at Te 8 s carries 24.53 kW per metre of crest — moderate — viable for nearshore devices. Across 100 m that is 2453 kW, yielding 6451 MWh a year at 30% capture. Power scales with the square of wave height, so doubling Hs quadruples the resource.
Step-by-Step Calculation Solution
1.P = rho g² Hs² Te / (64 pi)
2.P = (1025 x 9.81² x 2.5² x 8) / (64 x pi)
3.P = 24530 W/m = 24.53 kW/m
4.E = (1/16) rho g Hs² = 3928 J/m²
5.Cg = g Te / (4 pi) = 6.25 m/s — energy travels at the group speed, half the crest speed in deep water
6.Total = 24.53 kW/m x 100 m = 2453 kW
7.Captured = 2453 x 30% = 735.9 kW
8.Annual = 735.9 kW x 8766 h = 6451 MWh/year

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Formula & How Ocean Wave Power & Energy Flux Calculator Works

Mathematical Formula
P = ρg²Hs²Te / (64π) W/m | E = (1/16)ρgHs² J/m² | Cg = gTe / 4π

Wave power flux is the energy transported per second across a metre of wave crest, and it scales with the square of wave height and linearly with period. That quadratic dependence is why a modest increase in sea state transforms the resource: doubling Hs quadruples the available power. Energy travels at the group velocity, which in deep water is half the phase speed of the visible crests. Southern Australia's exposed coast sees annual mean fluxes above 40 kW/m, among the best resources in the world.

How to Calculate Ocean Wave Power & Energy Flux Calculator (Step-by-Step)
  1. Enter Significant Wave Height Hs (m) (m): Input your target parameter value.
  2. Enter Energy Period Te (s) (s): Input your target parameter value.
  3. Enter Array Crest Width (m) (m): Input your target parameter value.
  4. Enter Capture Width Ratio (%) (%): Input your target parameter value.
  5. Apply Formula: Calculate using P = ρg²Hs²Te / (64π) W/m | E = (1/16)ρgHs² J/m² | Cg = gTe / 4π.
  6. Review Results: View exact computed answers, metrics, and worked mathematical proofs.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much power is in an ocean wave?

A 2 m sea with an 8 second period carries roughly 16 kW per metre of crest. Southern Australian and North Atlantic coasts average 40 to 70 kW/m, which is a world-class resource.

What is the energy period Te?

Te is the variance-weighted mean period, m₋₁/m₀. It is the period used in wave power calculations and is typically about 0.9 times the peak period Tp.

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Official Regulatory & Government Data Sources

Authoritative Standards & Verified Reference Citations

Independent & Verified

Calculations and mathematical logic on this page are grounded in published statutory rules, regulatory standards, and official government data published by the following bodies:

Australian Government Data Portal (data.gov.au)Government
Commonwealth of Australia

Open government data, scientific datums, and public sector mathematical reference datasets.

data.gov.au
National Measurement Institute (NMI)Government
Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Australia's national authority on physical, chemical, and biological metric measurement standards.

www.industry.gov.au/national-measurement-institute
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