Riding the Waves of Innovation: Salter’s Duck and the Dawn of Wave Energy

In the quest for sustainable energy sources, the 1970s marked a significant turning point with Stephen Salter's introduction of "Salter's Duck," a novel device designed to harness the immense power of ocean waves. Unveiled in 1974, this ingeniously designed device resembled a duck’s head and was engineered to bob up and down with the motion of the waves, effectively capturing their kinetic energy to generate electricity.

Salter's Duck showcased a method to convert up to 90% of wave motion into electrical power, a remarkably efficient rate that sparked widespread interest and research into wave energy. Positioned off the coast, these devices were part of a broader vision to create wave farms that could potentially power thousands of homes with renewable energy derived directly from the sea.

Despite the initial enthusiasm, high costs and engineering challenges slowed the widespread adoption of Salter's technology. However, the concept fundamentally changed the way scientists and engineers approached marine energy, inspiring a generation of innovations in harnessing the ocean's power. Today, as technology advances and cost barriers lower, wave energy is re-emerging as a promising component of the global renewable energy mix, with Salter’s early work providing a critical foundation.