Harnessing Ocean Energy: How Los Angeles Port Turns Sea Power into Sustainable Electricity

SAN PEDRO, United States — Blue paddles float on the gentle waves at the Port of Los Angeles, transforming ocean movements into electricity. This clever setup could be a big step toward reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, which is essential to combat climate change.

“The project is straightforward,” says Inna Braverman, co-founder of Eco Wave Power, an Israeli startup. The paddles bob like piano keys, moving with the waves. They are connected to hydraulic systems that push a special fluid through pipes, ultimately spinning a turbine to create electricity.

If this pilot program catches the attention of California officials, Braverman hopes to cover the entire 13-kilometer breakwater with these floaters, which could generate enough power for 60,000 homes.

Advocates for wave energy point out that it’s a constantly available resource. Unlike solar and wind energy, which can be unpredictable, ocean waves are always in motion.

The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that the waves along the West Coast could potentially power 130 million homes—about a third of the country’s electricity use. Yet, wave energy has struggled to make a significant mark compared to solar and wind power.

Many past projects have failed due to the harsh conditions of the ocean. Developing technology that can endure strong waves while effectively transmitting electricity is a significant challenge. “Ninety-nine percent of competitors set up their systems in deep water, leading to high costs and frequent breakdowns,” Braverman explains. Her device, mounted close to shore, can rise to avoid damage during storms.

Professor Krish Thiagarajan Sharman from the University of Massachusetts Amherst thinks this approach is promising. “The costs of maintenance and inspection often deter developers. Keeping devices near the shore makes them easier to maintain,” he notes.

Braverman’s vision doesn’t stop in California. Eco Wave Power has identified numerous other sites across the U.S. for similar installations. Beyond the U.S., projects are already powering homes elsewhere. In Israel, wave energy has been used to power homes in Jaffa since December. Future projects in Porto, Portugal, and plans in Taiwan and India hint at the technology’s growing appeal.

Braverman aims for larger 20-megawatt projects in the future, bringing wave energy closer to competing with wind power in price. Additionally, she emphasizes that the installations won’t harm marine life, as they connect to already existing structures.

In California, the potential of wave energy aligns with the state’s goals for carbon neutrality by 2045. According to Jenny Krusoe, founder of AltaSea, the rise of AI and data centers is leading to greater energy demand. “We need to scale this technology quickly along the coast to meet that demand,” she argues.

As technology advances, could wave energy be the game-changer we need? It’s worth watching how these initiatives develop in the coming years.

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