BIG OIL BUYS BIG WAVES

The sleeping giant of New Energy will not be sleeping with the fishes much longer. Maybe this is the answer to the "Jeopardy" question "What does Big Oil do about Peak Oil?"

Chevron stakes wave energy claim
Frank Hartzell, July 12, 2007 (The Mendocino Beacon)

WHO
Chevron California Renewable Energy, Inc., PG&E, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

WHAT
The Chevron subsidiary filed a “claim” to develop wave energy offshore in Northern California.
The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter.
WHEN
Chevron stated its intention July 5 in a letter to local governments.

WHERE
Mendocino is “dead center in the claim area.” PG & E has a similar claim in an adjacent, possibly overlapping, area. Chevron’s claim is for an area 1 to 3 miles offshore. PG & E’s claim is ½ to 6 miles offshore. FERC may be called on to define the competing claims.

WHY
- Both mega-energy entities will be evaluating designs and locations for wave energy conversion devices. Both will test competing manufacturers and technologies.
- Chevron has reportedly indicated it will start with the Pelamis technology, a floating set of tree-sized cylinders tethered to the seabed. As the waves move the hydraulic chambers in the cylinders, the energy is absorbed and sent to a utility substation via undersea cable.
- Chevron estimates a potential ranging from 2 megawatts to 60 megawatts. PG & E is looking to get 40 megawatts from its installation. The Mendocino coast is estimated to consume 30 megawatts.
Another view.

QUOTES
- Chevron: "These devices would be combined in arrays for demonstration scale or commercial scale power production…"
- Author: “Wave energy technology is moving from the idea stage to the practical at breakneck speed.”

More info on the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter (WEC) here.