photo originally uploaded by friskyreddog
Dude, waves aren’t just for riding anymore. In a national first, utility PG&E (PCG) took the first step today toward developing two 40-megawatt "wave farms" off California’s north coast. If the project goes forward, PG&E would likely become the world’s largest producer of wave-generated electricity. The utility has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for permission to test multiple wave energy technologies in two projects off the coast of Mendocino and Humboldt counties, inviting wave-energy companies to submit project proposals for the utility’s WaveConnect initiative. "The waters off the coast of Humboldt and Mendocino counties have excellent wave power potential," said PG&E energy procurement executive Fong Wan in a statement. While wave energy technologies vary, they essentially involve a device that floats on the ocean’s surface and that harnesses the power produced by the surf to drive a turbine that generates greenhouse gas-free electricity. For instance, 
Sydney startup Energetech has developed an offshore power plant that uses a parabolic wall to magnify the energy of incoming waves, which force air into a hollow chamber. The air activates a turbine that powers a generator. The company’s prototype (photo at right) is operating off the New South Wales coast in Australia.
PG&E is in early discussions with wave energy companies Ocean Power Technologies of New Jersey, the U.K’s Ocean Power Delivery and Ireland’s Finavera Renewables, utility spokesman Keely Wachs told Green Wombat. Ocean Power Technologies is developing what it calls a PowerBuoy. The device floats on the ocean’s surface and as the buoy bobs around on waves, the motion is converted to mechanical energy that drives a generator. Ocean Power Delivery’s wave energy generator consists of snake-like,
hinged cylindrical sections called a Pelamis. As the Pelamis moves on
the waves, the motion powers hydraulic motors connected to a generator. Finavera is making what it calls an AquaBuoy that "converts the kinetic energy of the vertical motion of oncoming waves into clean electricity. The respective technologies are shown below.
Mendocino and Humboldt counties are environmental strongholds, and
despite WaveConnect’s potential to fight global warming, PG&E’s sure to encounter local resistance, or at least questions, about the project’s
impact on the ocean and marine life.
Green Wombat 
I believe wave energy to be far more practical than wind energy, for a variety of reasons. However, the environmental impact of building a wall seems entirely unnessary. There is a company called Ocean Power Technologies that constructs buoys capable of extracting a great deal of power with very little environmental impact. I hope they submit a proposal for this project.
I was really disappointed that Al Gore receives an Oscar for his documentary.
The subject or issue is global warming. Is this something we humans are causing or is it part of a long-term natural cycle?
The weather or climate is made up of infinite number of variables. Probably the biggest variable is the sun.
This is a legitimate debate because there are so many fluctuations
In the weather patterns that what appears to be normal may not be the case.
Mother nature is very powerful if she has set something in motion. I’m not sure we are how much we can change the current or future situation.
Personally. I think its great that we are looking at alternate sources of energy, commercial nuclear fusion, new alternative-fuel technologies, but we forget that new technologies can make coal-power much cleaner and nuclear power more economical. These are definitely sources of energy.
And keep in mind we, as a nation is still very dependent on oil. We should be doing everything possible
To encourage the drilling for oil with more tax cuts. It all makes sense.
We recently had serious freeze here in California that destroys most of citrus crop. It is events like these that caused me have to have doubts about the legitimacy of the global warming movement.
It reminds me of the people who are telling us the end of the world is right around the corner.
I don’t think the recently announce pack with Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington will make that much of a difference in the long run.
BILL BUTLER
599 WESTFRANKLIN #6
MONTERY, CA. 93940
Ryan, that was a well thought out response.
Bill, your concerns are well taken. The environment does have a lot of variables to it. But the one that we are speculating on – CO2 – is one where we do have some insight. The earth only generates so much CO2 on its own. We are measuring such high levels of CO2 in the atmosphere that the only other source can be from the combustion of fossil fuels. So while there is some uncertainty as to what the long-term impacts are, we do know that fossil fuels are a major contributor (the destruction of rainforests I surmise is another driver).
The impact, however, is being noticed today. We are measuring reductions in our sources of drinking water in California today. Farmers in Texas are finding their winter seasons cut short and their crops invaded by predators that weren’t there before. People are seeing changes *now* that have never taken place before. And we are measuring this against the changes in our atmosphere.
And while I know that the atmosphere is a complex place, human beings are complex creatures. The U.S., Japan, and Europe constantly measure atmospheric patters. In fact, up until a few years ago, the fastest computer in the world was dedicated to simulating world climate changes. So while your point about complexity is well taken, you should also give credit to human ingenuity. We do know most of what is going on with some level of certainty. Enough to warrent passing legislation against proliferating CO2 emissions. California just did that a few weeks ago.