California Senate Bill 605 – Wave and Tidal Energy (SB 605) has been unanimously approved across policy committees and intends to introduce a new and sustainable source of energy into California’s expansive green energy playing field. Wave and Tidal energy utilizes the natural push-and-pull of the ocean tides to generate sustainable power.
Tidal energy is uncommon in the United States – in fact, according to National Geographic, no commercial-sized tidal energy plants currently exist in the U.S., and the market is mainly pioneered by plants overseas, the largest of which is the Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station in South Korea. National Geographic also cites that France was the first country to found a commercial-sized plant, located in La Rance.
California company CalWave launched the “first long-term wave energy project,” says the DOE. The company deployed their xWave back in March of 2022.
As OpenStates.com lists, Senate Bill 605 will “require the Energy Commission and the Ocean Protection Council, on or before February 1, 2024, to commence a comprehensive, collaborative study to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of using wave energy and tidal energy, as specified,” followed by a written report and solicit / consider approval for applications for pilot projects, presumably many similar to xWave and other initiatives.
“I’m extremely pleased that California is moving fast to implement this historic legislation that will bring wave energy to California,” said Inna Braverman, Founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power, a global wave energy company headquartered in Sweden, quoted in this article by ReNews. “Wave energy is the largest untapped source of clean energy, and its widespread implementation in California will have a large positive impact – both environmentally and economically, as it will create a steady stream of clean jobs through manufacturing, transportation, construction, engineering, and other areas.”
The bill is now on its way to the State Assembly. Stay tuned to the SPURR blog for updates on all things sustainability, utility, and more!
