This document summarizes a feasibility study conducted by PG&E to investigate installing a wave energy pilot project off the coast of Humboldt County, California. The proposed project would have included installing up to 4 arrays with a maximum of 30 wave energy generators 3 nautical miles offshore in 45 meters of water. The project was suspended due to the newness of the wave energy technology, uncertainty around environmental and regulatory issues, potential conflicts with existing ocean uses, and high projected costs.

1. Humboldt WaveConnectTM Pilot Project
A feasibility study of wave energy in Humboldt County
Chet Jamgochian
Greg Pfotenhauer

2. PG&E Wave Energy Study
• Initiated 2007
• Two sites considered
– Mendocino County
• Dismissed due to inadequate harbor
– Humboldt County offshore Manila

3. Project Scope
• 3 nm offshore, 45m deep
• Up to 4 arrays, max of 30 generators
• 5MW max total output
• 12kV transmission lines to Fairhaven
– Gen Tie Infrastructure
– Power Conditioning Devices (depending in final
agreement)
– Subsea Transmission Cable
• 5 cables, one for each array and one spare
• Environmental monitoring buoys
– Up to 6 environmental monitoring buoys
– Up to 6 US Coast Guard approved markers as
navigational aids

4. http://cwec.ucdavis.edu/forum2011/proc_open/Forum2011_Caliendo.pdf

5. http://cwec.ucdavis.edu/forum2011/proc_open/Forum2011_Caliendo.pdf

6. Technology
• 53 Invitations to WEC manufacturers
– 14 responses
• Four types of technology selected
– 1. Attenuators
– 2. Point Absorber
– 3. Oscillating Water Column
– 4. Oscillating Wave Surge Converter

7. http://teeic.anl.gov/images/photos/hydrokinetic_attenuator.jpg http://www.greendiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/1_errgg_22976.jpg
http://cwec.ucdavis.edu/forum2011/proc_open/Forum2011_Caliendo.pdf http://nnmrec.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/Wavebob1.png

8. Conclusion
• New technology
• Developing regulatory framework
• Uncertainty of environmental effects
• Conflict with existing uses
• High Costs
…Project Suspended