The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the first U.S. license for a hydrokinetic energy project, to be located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington State. The license, for the one megawatt Makah Bay Offshore Wave Pilot Project, includes mitigation measures to protect the environment.
“Hydrokinetic projects have tremendous potential,” FERC Chairman Joseph Kelliher said. “The issuance of today’s license is a major step toward realizing that potential, by authorizing a pilot project to demonstrate this promising new technology.”
Commissioner Philip Moeller agreed. “Today is historic as we enter a new energy frontier. For the first time, we allow the harnessing of electricity from wave energy-power that results from the gravitational pull of the moon.
Today’s decision gives the licensee for the project, Finavera Renewables Ocean Energy, Ltd. (Finavera), a conditioned five-year license for the proposed project. The FERC license is conditioned upon Finavera obtaining all necessary federal permits before they may begin construction. In the meantime, the company may move forward with those portions of the license that do not require any type of construction.
To protect against any potential adverse impacts, the license contains a provision allowing FERC to shut down or remove the project should it find that operation unacceptably affects the surrounding environment.
Additional mitigation measures include: development of an anchoring plan for the underwater transmission cable and monitoring the cable to ensure the line is stationary and free of any entangled debris; assessing the intensity of the electromagnetic field emitted from the underwater transmission and buoy electrical cables; conducting a noise assessment and monitoring marine mammals to evaluate any noise effects and interactions with the buoys; development of a cultural resources plan; and preparing navigation and project safety plans.
The project consists of:
– Four 250-kilowatt steel wave energy conversion buoys and an associated mooring/anchoring and electrical connection system;
– a 3.7-statute-mile-long, direct current underwater transmission cable connecting from one of the buoy’s power cables to the shore station;
– a metal shore station with an access road and parking area; and
– a 20-foot, 12-kilovolt transmission line to connect the shore station to the nearby existing Clallam County Public Utility District distribution line.
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