Ocean Energy
Harnessing the Power of
Waves and Tides
What is Ocean Energy?
 Using Hydrokinetic Technology to harness energy
from the movement of water
 Waves, tides, and ocean currents
 Does not require impoundment (dams) or diversion
 Many different concepts and models
 Few have made it to installation
Wave Energy
OPT’s PowerBuoy device
In Hawaii
 Two or more independent
parts of the device move
relative to each other.
 At least one part is displaced
by the waves and reacts with
the other device.
 Many forms: oscillating water
columns (OWC), pointabsorbers, attenuators, and
overtopping devices.
The Pelamis Sea-Snake
The Mechanics
Tidal Energy
SeaGen Tidal Turbine
Northern Ireland
Constructed in 2008
 Deployed in a tides or current
 Captures energy from the flow
of water across or through the
device to power a generator
without impounding or
diverting the flow of the water
 Similar to the way wind energy
conversion devices work.
OpenHydro Tidal Turbine
OpenHydro In Action
Benefits
 Zero GHG Emissions
 Little Aesthetic Disruption
 Minimal Impact on Marine Life
 Predictable, Constant
 Low long-term costs
Tax Incentives and
Government Investment
 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
 Marine Energy Promotion Act of 2009: DOE Wind and
Hydropower Technologies Program
 NOAA Marine and Spatial Planning
 Federal and State Subsidies
Costs and Hurdles
 Very New Technology
 Investors are weary of new technology
 At the stage that wind power was in the 1980s
 Not currently competitive with traditional energy sources
 High Capital Costs
 Limited knowledge and research about Environmental
Impact
 Licensing Hurdles
U.S. Regulatory Process: Jurisdiction
 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (previously
MMS) – Federal Leases
 FERC – Licenses for ALL hydrokinetic projects
 States - Submerged Lands Act of 1953
U.S. Regulatory Process: Licensing
 Preliminary Permit (a hold)
 Traditional License
 Conditioned License
 Pilot/Prototype Permit
 Verdant Power: 2005 FERC Order ¶ 61,143
Problems with the
Regulatory Process
 Too Many Agencies Involved
 State v. federal
 Environmental agencies
 Indian Tribes
 The Response: Coordination
 Example: California and FERC MOU
A Tale of Two Technologies:
Wave Energy Development in
the United States
Finavera Renewable Technology:
Makah Bay Offshore Wave Project
 The ONLY wave energy project with a full FERC permit
 AQUABuoy Technology:
As the waves rise and fall, water
is pumped through a hose into
one of the buoys, powering a
small turbine inside.
Makah Bay Offshore Wave Project
• Required Permits or Consent from:
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FERC
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
NOAA
WA Department of Fish and
Wildlife
 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
 Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation
 Tribal Historical Preservation
Office (THPO)
 Makah Indian Nation
 WA Department of Ecology
 WA Archeological and Historical
Perspective
 WA Department of Natural
Resources
 National Marine Fisheries Service
Makah Bay Offshore Wave Project
 Environmental Studies and Projects
Completed Prior to Licensing:
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Oceanographic study
Sedimentation and Current Flow study
Electromagnetic Field Literature Review
Marine Photography
National Environmental Policy Act and State
Environmental Policy Act Compliance
NOAA coordination with state and federal agencies
Acoustic output study
Eel Grass Analysis
Gray Whale/marine mammal migration route analysis
Makah Bay Offshore Wave Project
“Permitting agencies were [un]familiar with our
technology, so we had to create a permitting process as
we went along.”
- Alla Weinstein, AquaEnergy Group
 The Project was abandoned in 2009, citing lack of
capital and unfavorable financial climate
Ocean Power Technologies:
Power Buoy system
 The PowerBuoy
A piston-like structure moves
up and down are the waves
rise and fall. The movement
produces electricity and is
sent to shore by underwater
cable.
PowerBuoy Technology
 Environmental assessment for Pilot Permit met 14
different legal requirements, including:
 NEPA, the Coastal Zone Management Act, laws
protecting marine mammals, migratory birds, fish and
wildlife, Native American graves, and coral reefs
 Completed first grid connection in September 2010 in
Hawaii
 Plans to expand to Oregon and Spain, including largescale operations
The Future of Ocean Energy
 The United States is behind Europe in development
 But we are catching up!
 Need for investment and subsidies in the short term
 Need for coordination between developers
 European Marine Energy Centre Model