The ocean is a potential source of low cost renewable energy that needs to be explored in the near future. The University of Manchester has a machine called the Bobber, that it hopes will tap into the limitless potential of what covers 3/4 of out planet. Nothing like tapping the energy of the waves to solve the energy crunch.
On a hacking note, I think these work about the same way that those magnetic coil flashlights do. The waves cause a float with a magnet in it to move in and out of a coil (solenoid) and you get electrical power. That’s a pretty simple explanation but it should give you a good idea on how it works. The only big difference, and what makes it an improvement, is that there is a clutch system that converts the wave motion into a single direction and then goes into the generator.
“…The Bobber’s output of 5MW is the mean power output, with the potential for much more depending on sea conditions.”
Pretty good for just chilling in the North Sea…