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Energy Independence, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Given the substantial relationship between water and energy, the relationship between local energy generation and local economic development, as well as the nexus between greenhouse gas emissions and watershed management, the North Coast IRWMP is integrating energy independence and emissions reductions elements into its programmatic regional approach. Learn more...


North Coast Strategies for Energy Independence & Emissions Reduction > Wave Energy

Wave Energy

Wave energy is the transport of energy by ocean surface waves, and the capture of the energy for electricity generation, water desalination, water pumping and other work.  Although related to wave energy, tidal energy and the steady gyre of ocean currents are, strictly speaking, distinct from wave energy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_Power). Wave energy technology varies but usually consists of floating objects moored at the shoreline, nearshore or offshore. One type of system proposed for development in the waters of the North Coast (Kovner 2009) is the Pelamis wave energy converter, made up of interconnected floating sections which flex and bend as waves pass; the motion drives a hydraulic motor which is used to generate electricity, transported to shore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelamis_Wave_Power).

Wave power generation is not currently a widely employed commercial technology (Miller 2004), but the North Coast may become the first on Earth to experiment with wave energy on the large scale. PG&E, the Sonoma County Water Agency and the company Green Wave are pursuing wave power projects (10 to 15 square mile “wave farms”) off the coasts of Humboldt, Mendocino and Sonoma Counties (Kovner 2009). Theoretically, wave energy releases no GHGs locally and could be a vast source of local, renewable energy. However, there are concerns about pursuing wave energy facilities, including: inevitable saltwater corrosion of infrastructure; the possibility of entangling migrating Pacific gray whales and other marine life in mooring lines; underwater noise pollution; and potential interference with local fisheries and fisheries-based economies (Nelson et al. 2008).

 

Citations:

Nelson, P.A., D. Behrens, J. Castle, G. Crawford, R.N. Gaddam, S.C. Hackett, J. Largier, D.P. Lohse, K.L. Mills, P.T. Raimondi, M. Robart, W.J. Sydeman, S.A. Thompson, S. Woo. 2008. Developing Wave Energy in Coastal California: Potential Socio-Economic and Environmental Effects. California Energy Commission, PIER Energy-Related Environmental Research Program & California Ocean Protection Council CEC-500-2008-083. 182 pages.

Kovner, G. 2009. Waves at Work. The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, California. May 15.

Miller, C. 2004. Wave and tidal energy experiments in San Francisco and Santa Cruz. http://www.outsidelands.org/wave-tidal3.php.