Boat U.S. - March 2009 - (Page 18)

Wind And Waves To Generate Juice n what is being described as one of the largest green-energy projects in the country, a Seattle company hopes to harness energy from ocean waves, tides, and wind to generate electricity using offshore platforms that would resemble oil rigs. In December 2008, Grays Harbor Ocean Energy applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to develop seven offshore ocean-energy systems, in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island waters. The company is one of dozens proposing wave and tidal energy-generation systems but Grays Harbor wants to add wind power to the mix. Systems vary, but all use wave motion and tidal flow to generate electricity. Some Bobbing buoys could generate electricity. capture water in a floating tube or buoy and use it to turn a conventional water turbine to generate electricity. In others, the buoy contains a could start making power around 2015 or 2016,” magnetic shaft and electric coil. As the buoy bobs said Grays Harbor President Burton Hamner. Other in the water, the shaft slides through the coil to proposed sites could be producing electricity generate electricity. The Grays Harbor system also not long after, he added. Rhode Island has been would add wind turbines on top of the platforms. the most aggressive state atpromoting offshore renewable The company estimates that the power generated energy. In December 2007, the state signed an agreement from one of its “wave farms” — made up of about with an Australian wave-energy developer to build a 100 platforms grouped in a 100-square-mile area generation system off its coast. The program is part of an approximately 10-15 miles offshore — should overall mission by Governor Donald Carcieri of obtaining supply electricity for 300,000 homes. at least 20 percent of the state’s energy from renewable Wave-energy systems come with environmental sources by 2011. Grays Harbor in August 2008 also considerations. A recent report from California’s received a FERC permit to study a site off the Washington Ocean Protection Council and the state energy coast. commission questioned if such systems might Several wave-energy systems, constructed by comdisturb normal wave patterns and harm some peting companies, are in operation already, one off the marine life. Projects also could diminish energy coast of Portugal. One reportedly generates about 2.25 from waves, interfering with shoaling and beach megawatts of electricity, enough to power around 1,500 building, which could adversely affect species living homes. Hamner said wave energy systems are expensive from the high-tide line out to the continental shelf. to build, averaging around $4 million per megawatt. Last November FERC set a 60-day comment Projects must generate at least 1,000 megawatts to be period on the Grays Harbor application as the first cost-effective. Sites need to be at least 100 square miles step in what is expected to be a lengthy review to be viable, Hamner said. Given their cost, wave/wind process. A proposed site off the Rhode Island energy projects of the type Grays Harbor would build coast is in the most advanced stage of application must be located in larger markets and in states offering development. sizable incentives to developers. “There, if everything went well, I think it — Gary Beckett BoatU.S. Magazine March 2009 I While still controversial, major wave-energy projects are moving forward on both coasts

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Boat U.S. - March 2009 Contents Reader Forum Boat U.S. Reports What’s New In The Brew? The Perfect Paint Job Launch Into Spring Boats Gear Wheels One Mom, Two Teens, No Exit So, Nigel Had This Idea Ice Devices It Was A Club Of Their Own Expanding The Boating Universe Tech Connection A Case Study In Getting Results Let’s All Do This Together Classifieds Member Benefits/At Your Service

Boat U.S. - March 2009

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