Pacific Gas and Electric to Study Wave Power in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties
28 February 2007
Pacific Gas and Electric Company took the first step towards developing generation projects that could convert the abundant wave energy off the coast of Mendocino and Humboldt Counties (California) into electricity by filing two preliminary permit applications with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
The WaveConnect projects will begin with resource, environmental, and ocean use studies and if developed would use wave energy conversion (WEC) devices to transform the energy of ocean waves into clean, renewable electricity. If fully developed, the projects could each provide up to 40 MW of clean renewable electric supply.
This would be the first application in North America for a project that would allow multiple WEC device manufacturers to demonstrate their devices on a common site, which could help accelerate the development of wave energy technology.
Most of the WEC devices currently being considered by PG&E float on the ocean surface and generate electricity when waves are present. PG&E, as the lead developer, will be responsible for the permitting of the sites and will encourage the participation of multiple WEC device manufacturers in the projects.
Phased development of the sites would proceed if technical results support feasibility, environmental studies show that any significant impacts can be fully mitigated, and stakeholder considerations can be satisfactorily addressed.
Working closely with stakeholders, PG&E will take a leading role in identifying and mitigating any potential impacts to the marine environment in order to maintain the beauty and diversity of coastal waters. PG&E, working with environmental agencies and consultants, will undertake studies of the water resource and its various ecosystems. The project will be designed to minimize effects on the environment, coastal processes, and ocean users.
Can wave projects be combined with tidal projects to more effectively tap energy at the same places?
Posted by: bill borsheim | 28 February 2007 at 10:33 AM
Wave energy is definately a great idea. Imagine the size of the power plant needed for a wavepool that big. For those interested check out this link. They have already proven this concept.
www.wavegen.co.uk/
Posted by: Andy | 28 February 2007 at 11:32 AM
There are a number of companies that have developed technology for generating electricity from waves. Here is another one:
http://www.oceanpd.com/default.html
This system involves large sausage-shaped things that generate electricity as the waves force the sausage to bend.
I don't know enough about either one to discuss the relative merits however.
The PG&E announcement doesn't say what type of system they are going with, which is kind of interesting. Given the small size of the planned installation, I am guessing that they are at a stage where they intend to evaluate several technologies.
Posted by: eric | 28 February 2007 at 12:36 PM
Eric: my understanding from the article is that they plan to invite any number of strategies to be applied to the same location.
Posted by: Neil | 28 February 2007 at 02:58 PM
Bill,
it sounds like a good idea but I don't think that wave and tidal generation would be all that compatible. There are all sorts of ingenious WEC devices and they are usually located some distance offshore whereas tidal flows are at their most effective in places like estuaries and inlets.
Most WEC devices work by harnessing the vertical movement of the waves whereas tidal power generation works from horizontal flow of water.It's hard to see how you could combine the two.
Posted by: critta | 28 February 2007 at 06:39 PM
combine the two:
a dam-like structure with floating bits that rise and fall with the waves and heck, may as well mount some wind mills on it while you're at it
you'd have synergies in mounting structures, power structure and connection, etc, but
how many places have big, consistent waves, a large change in tide, and a local environment that you can prove won't be altered by the addition of your equipment?
environmental questions are the biggest barrier to tidal and wave power installations. nobody wants to give permission to install anything anywhere. that is what is significant about this post
Posted by: Shaun Mann | 28 February 2007 at 11:47 PM
If these floaters are near enough to shore to be seen, the NIMBYs will block it. Imagine a float every 100 meters that generates .5 MW of power at maximum capacity. 80 of them would stretech for miles to produce the 40 MW goal at peak, and perhaps twice as many miles to average that production.
Posted by: Van | 01 March 2007 at 08:58 AM
I'm a grid-tied Californian, who offsets almost all the electricity my family uses with a home PV system. I'm very enthusiastic about this wave energy project. I would like more details than what are provided in this press release. Does anyone know where to find more?
Posted by: John L. | 01 March 2007 at 04:16 PM
John L,
YOu can look at this link for more on the Pelamis North Sea installation.
http://alt-e.blogspot.com/2005/02/wave-energy-news-usa-uk-and-south.html
And this for organically inspired systems:
http://www.biopowersystems.com/contact.html
Posted by: gr | 03 March 2007 at 01:10 PM
One of the more ingenious design concepts for a wave energy generator:
http://engr.oregonstate.edu/news/ar/2005/waveenergy.html
Posted by: Garrett | 07 August 2007 at 08:47 AM
It seems there are more projects in the works. There is one off the coast of Oregon by Finavera.
Scotland is supposed to be starting the largest wave power project soon.
However, even the largest of the projects is only giving enough power for about 2500 homes.
Somebody mentioned Pelamis videos. I have some of the links for Pelamis and others on my site at http://www.squidoo.com/wavepower
Posted by: Kevin | 29 August 2007 at 09:57 AM
Seems like such devices along docks, breakwaters & other man-made structures would be unobtrusive. Also, really effective devices would lessen erosion from waves pounding on the shore...should be welcomed by shoreside land owners.
Posted by: bill borsheim | 08 November 2007 at 06:22 AM