EDINBURGH, Scotland -- The government of Scotland is trying to exploit one of the area's world famous resources: bad weather. The wave and tidal resources surrounding the country could generate up to 10 percent to 25 percent of the power needed by the United Kingdom, according to proponents. 25 percent of Europe's wave potential is here too.
Scotland has placed a goal of generating 50 percent of its power from renewable sources. It already gets around 20 percent. Ultimately, the country would also like to export machinery and expertise to other nations. Delegations from Russia, South Africa, Chile and other seaside nations are regular visitors to green research centers and companies.
Wave and tidal companies, however, are only just testing their devices. We visited some of them. The following are pictures from inside Pelamis Wave Power and the University of Edinburgh.
The government is also erecting a hydrogen research center.