Wave power is also called wave energy and it happens when the motion of the waves cause there to be energy. This happens when the wind pushes the waves to the surface and when the wave is bigger and stronger, it can cause there to be more energy.
Waves help to make energy because when there is a large body of water, such as an ocean, the waves are bigger and they are all the time moving. When the waves move, they can cause there to be energy and energy can be taken out of the movements of the wave.
Wave power is complicated because it is almost impossible to know which way a wave is going to go. A wave can go sideways or up or down and it can go diagnol, so no one really knows how to track how the waves are going to move.
The only way that power can be taken from a wave is if it moves in one direction. A turbine is placed in the direction that the wave moves and when the turbine turns, it causes there to be electricity.
Since getting energy from waves can be so complicated, there are different methods that can be done to make this happen.
One way that energy can be taken from waves is by floating cylinders. These cylinders are hooked together with hinges and they are connected to generators that are called hydraulic generators. These generators are found in the cylinders.
When the cylinders float on the water, they move depending on how the waves move. When the waves move in the right direction, it causes the hinges to flex and it moves the hydraulic generators and this makes electricity.
Another way that energy can be taken from waves is by using pistons which are parts that move up and down. The pistons are put under the water and are connected to a float. When the piston moves in an up and down motion, it causes pressure to go through a generator and this makes electricity.
The problem with wave energy is that it can only be used when there are waves. When the water is calm and there are very few or no waves, there is no energy that can be produced.