Greener, but still not entirely risk-free

Although wave power is generally regarded as a clean, renewable source of energy, people should be aware of the possible negative environmental effects, according to a leading scientist.

You Yage, chief researcher with the Ocean Energy Laboratory at the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said ocean energy projects create hazards for marine life.

Some submerged devices used to harness wave energy may create noise that would disturb the marine life in the immediate vicinity, and there is also the possibility that chemicals used on the surface platforms could spill into the water and contaminate it, he added.