CALIF SURFERS STUDY WAVE ENERGY

A New Wave; Could the waters off the coast near San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station become the site of a hydro-electric wave farm?
Andrea Swayne, February 24, 2011 (San Clemente Times)

"…[T]hose living near the coast are well acquainted with the potential energy of ocean waves and currents…[ Wave power is a vast untapped resource that could hold the potential for one day generating a major portion of the world’s energy.]..[H]arnessing wave power [as hydro-electricity] seems like a no-brainer…But some fear that taking this technology to the ocean could have potentially devastating effects on the fishing industry…[and] pose hazards to the environment by endangering sea life.

"When local anglers got wind of an Ocean Wave Electricity Generating (OWEG) farm, proposed to be situated on approximately 8 square nautical miles of ocean near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), rumor and speculation ignited feelings of mistrust and anger…Aside from the fear that a project such as this could take away popular fishing grounds, speculation had the buoy wave generators being referred to by some as ‘fish blenders’—that suck fish into turbines and grind them up much like a blender."

The beach adjacent to the San Onofre Nuclear Genersting Station. Is a wave farm going to be more disruptive than this? (click to enlarge)

"…Environmentalist groups like the Sierra Club and the Surfrider Foundation also have concerns…mainly [about] potential harm to sharks and marine mammals caused by electrical fields…Chad Nelsen, Environmental Director for Surfrider Foundation confirmed that they too, felt that communication with the community by JD Products, LLC—the privately owned company proposing the project—is lacking.

"…The preliminary permit that has interested parties up in arms was apparently granted by FERC back in October of 2010…[I]t only authorizes a feasibility study be done and gives the project applicant priority over the proposed site for a period of three years…JD Products, did however file notice with FERC for…licensing…[but] was rejected…[until] stakeholder meetings [are] conducted…[with, among others,] Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base…National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game…California Coastal Commission…,Surfrider Foundation, San Diego County, San Onofre District…[and] the cities of San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside… JD Products’ project is one of 406 projects granted preliminary permits by FERC [with 194 applications pending]…"

Aerial view of the proposed site (click to enlarge)

[Surfrider Foundation:] “We are looking to support well-planned and environmentally sound renewable ocean energy projects, but we have to judge each project on its individual merits and potential impacts. It’s clear that there are some locations where these types of projects, if done right, are appropriate, and others where they are not.”

[Dr. Chong H. Kim, General Manager, JD Products:] “…I like to call this idea an OWEG wave farm…Much like in a traditional farm, you plant the trees and they continue producing for years to come. The same is true here. Waves have the potential to generate electricity day and night, not only when the sun shines or the wind blows—24/7. It is my dream to make this a reality and give back to the country that has given me so much.”