Avila Beach, CA WAVE Energy Power Generation Plant

Presented by: Martha Bell, Sarah Capudi, and Jennifer Foronjy

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Introduction

•Community Energy Needs

•Project Description

•Project Benefits

•Project Impacts

•Mitigation

•Project Costs

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Avila Beach Energy Needs

Population of San Luis Obispo County – 265,927 *

Population of Avila Beach – 797**

Avila Beach = <1% of county

Energy Consumption by SLO County - 1,749,000 MWh***

Estimated Avila Beach Energy Use – 17,490 MWh/year

*US Census, 2008** US Census, 2000***California Energy Consumption Data Management System, 2008

17,490 X .10 = 1,749 MWh from proposed project

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Project Description

•Offshore converter on the coast of Avila Beach•Energy converted to a 60-Hertz frequency •Continuous energy supply due to high predictability

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Avila Beach

Project Benefits

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•No air pollution

•Renewable resource, will always be readily available

•High reliability

•Increased energy independence

•Use of existing transmission and distribution system out of Diablo Canyon Power Plant

Project Impacts

From Socio-Economic Factors, Habitats,

and Species to Acoustics and

Electromagnetic Fields

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Socio-economic Impact

• Commercial and recreational fisheries

• Marine transportation

• Recreational boating

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Intertidal and Benthic Habitat

•arval distribution in the Intertidal zone

•nitial construction and routine maintenance of mooring lines may adversely affect the benthic habitat

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Fish Effects

•Wave energy can affect community structure through changes in species composition and predator effects•Attracting previously absent predators •Some fish species such as sharks, rays, and skates are very sensitive to acoustics which could affect the food chain 9

Marine Mammals

•ntanglement issues with mooring cables

•ydraulic fluids

•nterference with migration patterns caused by EMF

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Mitigation

Protecting, Restoring, and Enhancing the Environment

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Receptor Breakout Groups

1. Socio-economic effects: de facto marine reserve

2. Nearshore Intertidal and Benthic Habitat, Fish Effects, and Seabirds:

adaptive management

3. Marine Mammals: work with regulatory staff

4. Physical Environment : no new infrastructure

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Stressor Breakout Groups

1. Electromagnetic Effects

• Armoring and trenching cables is expected to be effective

2. Adaptive management & mitigation

• Devices which break loose

• Debris accumulation

• Hydraulic fluids which leak

• Acoustics

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Protecting, Restoring, & Enhancing the Environment

• As the DCPP is phased out of production in the future, PG&E will work with the National Park Service to establish a National Seashore along the Diablo Canyon shoreline, creating a protected natural resource for future generations.

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Project Costs

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PG&E Humboldt Wave Connect Project (on hold as of November 2010)

5 MW capacity

•Regulatory Process - $6 million

•Installation, transmission and distribution - $50 million

•Operation and Maintenance - $5 million annually

•Mitigation costs???

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Questions???

Questions?

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