The Wave Energy Revolution

For decades, ocean waves have been viewed as one of the most promising sources of renewable energy. Globally, they generate a staggering amount of power—between 50 and 80 trillion watts, which is two to three times more than the world’s annual energy consumption. Yet fully harnessing this potential remains a significant challenge. Existing technologies that aim to convert this energy into electricity often fall short in efficiency, especially in deep-sea environments. As a result, wave energy has not reached the level of success seen with wind or solar power.

To overcome this barrier, one of the most innovative and intriguing approaches has emerged—using sound waves. According to a new study, the interaction between surface waves and underwater acoustic waves can amplify surface waves. This means it is possible to intentionally increase the height and energy of the waves, directly improving electricity generation potential.

Acoustic waves travel underwater at a speed of about 1,500 meters per second, which is tens of times faster than surface waves. Traditional theory treats these two wave types as independent, but new discoveries demonstrate that, through a mechanism called “trio resonance,” two sound waves can target a surface wave at its natural frequency and transfer energy to it. As a result, the wave’s amplitude—its height and energy—can increase by 30% or more.

This radically changes the perception of wave energy inefficiency. Imagine a scenario where specially designed acoustic generators send sound waves into the water at precisely calculated frequencies, enhancing surface waves in zones where wave turbines or other energy-harvesting devices are located. As a result, existing infrastructure could generate much more electricity from the same amount of ocean motion.

Naturally, these acoustic generators also require energy, but the idea is for them to be powered by wave energy themselves—maintaining a low carbon footprint. The main technical challenge is scaling this system and transmitting energy as efficiently as possible, minimizing losses.

But the potential of this technology doesn’t end with energy production. The same mechanism could be used to reduce the impact of natural disasters, such as tsunamis. Research showed that during the 2022 Tonga earthquake and volcanic eruption, trio resonance was present in the resulting tsunami. Theoretically, this means that pre-generated acoustic waves could reduce tsunami wave sizes—essentially slowing them down.

However, unlike the energy-enhancement scenario, tsunami mitigation is far more technically complex. It would require very large-scale acoustic generators, precise calculations, and real-time access to detailed data. Otherwise, the opposite could happen—the wave might be amplified instead.

Another study highlighted a key direction for development: improving tsunami early warning systems. Currently, thousands of seismic sensors are deployed worldwide, but they only detect earthquakes and are ineffective for tsunamis caused by volcanic eruptions or landslides. Moreover, active buoys struggle to obtain detailed wave movement data, often operating in unstable conditions with low transmission speeds.

Against this backdrop, an alternative has emerged: underwater microphones—hydrophones—that detect all sound waves potentially related to tsunamis. These devices operate with high precision, respond instantly, and could cover all high-risk zones on the planet with just 30 stations. This innovation could become a major survival mechanism for coastal cities and mark a bold new beginning—where humanity uses sound as both a source of energy and a tool for protection.