breakwaters

Wave energy in the U.S.

October 15, 2025 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

A company called Eco Wave Power has launched the first U.S. wave energy project in the Port of Los Angeles. The system captures the motion of ocean waves to generate renewable electricity.

The Eco Wave Power system harnesses hydraulic energy with floaters installed near the shore on existing structures like breakwaters, piers, and jetties. The floaters bob up and down with wave movement, which creates pressure that drives a hydraulic motor and a generator. Only the system’s floaters are actually in the water, and they aren’t connected to any electrical lines. These hydraulic cylinders then send pressurized fluid to a land-based energy conversion unit. Thus, there are no underwater transmission lines as is the case for offshore wind generation.

The hydraulic motor and generator are housed inside a standard shipping container. The electricity generated by the system is then connected to the grid. Breakwaters and piers are often owned by ports, and ports are large consumers of electricity, which means that there is likely to be an electric substation nearby.

This demonstration project has several goals. Foremost, it is a showcase for Eco Wave Power’s patented onshore wave energy technology in U.S. marine conditions. It will serve as an educational hub for potential industry partners, regulators, and potential customers. It will also support environmental monitoring and other regulatory requirements that can inform local stakeholders and authorities that will be involved in any future deployments.

Wave energy has great potential. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that wave energy has the potential to provide electricity for 130 million homes.

**********

Web Links

Eco Wave Power launches its first U.S. wave energy project

Photo, posted October 17, 2022, courtesy of Andrew Meldrum via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio

Natural solutions for coastal defense

May 30, 2024 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

Protecting coastal cities and towns from the dangers of tsunamis, storm surges, and sea-level rise has become an ever-increasing challenge. There are so-called hard coastal defenses as well as nature-based solutions. A new study by the University of Tokyo has found that combining the two types of defenses may be the most effective way to protect, support, and enrich coastal communities.

Sea walls, dikes, dams, and breakwaters are the traditional hard measures. They are popular and have proven track records but are facing challenges to keep pace with increasing climate risks. They are expensive to build and require continuous upgrades and repairs. While they do provide protection from many disaster risks, they also can cause significant disruption to coastal ecosystems as well as to coastal communities.

Nature-based coastal defenses include such things as mangroves and coral reefs. So-called soft measures involve restoring, rehabilitating, reforesting, and nourishing natural ecosystems that protect coastal areas.

The Tokyo researchers analyzed the defense strategies in terms of risk reduction, climate change mitigation, and cost-effectiveness over a 20-year period. The results of the study were that among all coastal defense options in lower-risk areas, hybrid measures provide the highest risk reduction and can harness the advantages of both hard and soft measures.

The findings provide strong evidence for integrating nature-based components into coastal defenses, but these approaches have not yet been adequately tested in circumstances of extreme events and high-risk urgency. Research in this area has important implications for policy makers, coastal planners, and communities looking to make evidence-based decisions.

**********

Web Links

A natural touch for coastal defense

Photo, posted October 22, 2021, courtesy of Kevin Dooley via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio