December 19, 2007

PG&E to Deliver Renewable Energy Generated by Waves

By 2012, PG&E will be delivering energy to its customers generated by waves off the coast of California.

This week, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) announced its agreement with Vancouver-based Finavera Renewables Inc. to buy power generated by ocean waves off the coast of California, that could fuel up to 1,500 Northern California homes. Delivery of this renewable energy should happen by 2012.

40 of Finavera's AquaBuoys will be placed off the northern California coast in a star-shaped configuration. "Energy transfer takes place by converting the vertical component of wave kinetic energy into pressurized seawater by means of two-stroke hose pumps," Finavera said. "The pressurized seawater is directed into an energy conversion system consisting of a turbine driving an electrical generator."

The power purchase agreement calls for 3,854 megawatt hours of electricity a year, which will offset about 245 tons of carbon dioxide a year, according to Pacific Gas & Electric. PG&E also recently announced deals that include 177 megawatts of solar thermal power and 150 megawatts of wind power.

Topic Tags: energy, PG&E, renewable, wave

by cdarwin

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