From Buzzards Bay to Your Smartphone: The Future of Ocean Energy

Welcome to the captivating world of Buzzards Bay, a stunning estuary located between the scenic South Coast of Massachusetts and the charming Elizabeth Islands/Cape Cod. This unique setting, with its partial enclosure and direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, creates a vibrant tapestry of natural phenomena: the refreshing coastal winds, the rhythmic dance of rolling waves, and the dramatic shifts of the tides.

However, beneath its tranquil surface, Buzzards Bay faces significant environmental challenges. It stands on the front lines of climate change, confronting threats such as rising water temperatures, ocean acidification, and localized pollution from nearby harbors and runoff. This makes Buzzards Bay not just a beautiful destination, but also a critical hub for studying the impacts of climate change and the urgent need for ecological conservation.

Situated in the quaint coastal town of Marion, Massachusetts, Tabor Academy has proudly called this stunning location home since 1876. Nestled right on a half-mile stretch of Sippican Harbor, which flows seamlessly into Buzzards Bay, Tabor has rightfully earned its affectionate nickname: "The School by the Sea."

As a dedicated student at this institution, I find myself constantly inspired by the beauty and power of the ocean. My experiences here have motivated me to explore the vast possibilities that lie beyond the shoreline. The ocean is not just a body of water; it is a source of immense energy waiting to be harnessed. When we delve into this concept, we realize that energy surrounds us in various forms—flowing through the wind, cascading in water, radiating from sunlight, and even emanating from the Earth's natural movements. Yet, it’s essential to understand that energy cannot be created; we are merely capturing and converting the abundant energy that already exists in nature.

When we flip on a light switch or charge a phone, the electricity powering those devices originally comes from a natural source. In traditional energy systems, that energy often comes from burning fuels such as coal, oil, or natural gas. However, burning these fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Renewable energy systems work differently. Instead of burning fuel, they capture energy from natural processes that occur around us, without producing harmful emissions.

The ocean contains several powerful sources of natural motion. Waves rise and fall along the coastline, tides flow in and out every day as they are driven by the gravitational pull of the moon, and winds over the open ocean are often stronger and more consistent than winds on land. In Buzzards Bay, this motion is constant: Waves continue to roll toward the shore, and the tides quietly rise and fall throughout the day. 

You can think of the ocean as a giant natural battery that is always on. The challenge for engineers and scientists is figuring out how to capture this energy in the most efficient and cost-effective way, and convert it into useful electricity. Ocean renewable energy harnesses the natural motion of waves, tides, and wind to generate electricity while reducing pollution and protecting the marine environment.

Looking around Marion Harbor, which is near Tabor Academy, you may notice many structures that interact with the ocean every day. All these structures could potentially help us to collect data or energy.

Floating Buoys

Floating buoys could be used to measure waves and weather conditions. Further designs could also generate small amounts of electricity from wave motion.

Dock Pilings

Water constantly flows around docks and pilings. Small sensors or energy-harvesting devices could use this movement to power a water-quality monitor.

Mooring Systems

Boats tied to moorings move with the waves and tides every day. That motion could potentially be used to generate small amounts of electricity.

Fishing Boats and Working Harbors

Local fishing boats and working harbors depend on healthy marine ecosystems. Technologies that monitor water quality or reduce pollution can help support sustainable fishing.

By developing renewable ocean energy and improving environmental monitoring systems, communities can safeguard their local economies and enhance residents' quality of life. Let’s work together this summer to explore renewable energy solutions and build a brighter, more sustainable future.

About the author:

Abby Wei leads the Boston Chapter and is a rising senior at Tabor Academy with a strong interest in marine and energy engineering. She has hands-on experience building underwater vehicles and using underwater photogrammetry to create seafloor maps, and has developed skills in mechanical design, soldering, CAD modeling, data analysis, and full hardware integration. She also designed and built a composite, modular marine power-generation platform, a portable offshore system that integrates wave, solar, and moisture-enabled energy technologies to support long-duration underwater operations. In addition, Abby conducts independent research on sea level rise and tidal dynamics, gaining experience in scientific analysis, writing research papers, designing scientific posters, public presentations, and communicating results through outreach materials. Through these experiences, Abby has developed both technical skills and the ability to explain complex ideas clearly. Her experiences have prepared her to contribute to collaborative learning environments and to support others in understanding engineering concepts.  

Abby is working on her power generation system

Different energy sources and their challenges and opportunities, organized by Abby Wei