WaveConnect™
Program Overview
Studying the potential of ocean wave energy is important to California's environmental future and the ongoing discovery of sustainable, renewable energy sources. PG&E is exploring the feasibility of using wave energy because of the large potential amount of renewable, carbon-free electricity generation that is estimated to exist offshore of PG&E’s 600-mile long coastline. Wave energy could potentially be a major contributor to the supply of economic, renewable energy in California.
About Wave Technology
There are dozens of wave energy converter (WEC) technologies in development that capture the energy of waves in different ways. To learn more about the latest wave energy technologies, visit the European Marine Energy Center’s (EMEC) website. EMEC operates a UK based wave energy test facility, similar to the proposed WaveConnect pilot project.
Humboldt WaveConnect™ Pilot Project
Learn about PG&E’s proposed WaveConnect™ Pilot Project in Humboldt County, Calif.
PG&E filed its Draft Pilot License Application (DPLA) for the Humboldt WaveConnect Pilot Project on March 1, 2010. Below is the complete application.
Draft Pilot License Application (ZIP, 59.8 MB)
Central Coast WaveConnect™ Project
Learn about PG&E’s proposed WaveConnect™ Project in Santa Barbara County, Calif.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a preliminary permit for the Central Coast WaveConnect Project on May 14, 2010. Below is the preliminary permit.
CCWC Preliminary Permit (PDF, 76 KB)
See the Central Coast WaveConnect webpage for additional information about the Central Coast WaveConnect project, including materials presented at the February 3-4, 2010, public meetings.
Recent Research on Wave Energy
- Developing Wave Energy in Coastal California: Potential Socio-Economic and Environmental Effects (PDF, 5.9 MB), California Ocean Protection Council (COPC) and California Energy Commission (CEC), November 2008
- Summary of PIER-Funded Wave Energy Research (PDF, 5.8 MB), California Energy Commission (CEC), March 2008
- Ecological Effects of Wave Energy Development in the Pacific Northwest (PDF, 2.6 MB), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), October 2007
Wave Energy Converter System Request for Information (RFI)
PG&E is requesting information from Wave Energy Converter (WEC) device manufacturers interested in consideration for the Humboldt WaveConnect pilot project. For more information and instructions on how to submit a response, please see the RFI below. Inquiries to this RFI are due by 12 p.m. on Sept. 29. Final responses are due by Oct. 9.
WaveConnect RFI (PDF, 676 KB)
RFI Manufacturer Questions and PG&E Responses
These are PG&E’s responses to questions received by WEC manufacturers as part of the RFI process. The questions and answers are not intended to modify, affect, replace, or supersede the requirements as stated in the RFI; but are intended to clarify and supplement the RFI.
WaveConnect RFI Q&A (PDF, 17 KB)
Contact The WaveConnect Team
Email
waveconnect@pge.com
Phone
1-877-743-6436
Mailing Address
WaveConnect
Pacific Gas & Electric Company
77 Beale Street, Mail Code 5BQ
San Francisco, CA 94105
