U.S. Debuts First Onshore Wave Energy Project in Los Angeles as Port Tests Blue Floaters for Clean Power
The United States unveiled its first onshore wave energy project at the Port of Los Angeles. Led by Eco Wave Power, seven blue steel floaters convert waves into continuous electricity in a pilot now producing about 100 kilowatts.
Key takeaways
- What: First onshore wave energy project in the U.S., using seven blue steel floaters to turn waves into electricity (sources: Los Angeles Times; iHeart/KFI AM 640).
- Who: Led by Eco Wave Power in partnership with AltaSea and Shell Marine Renewable Energy (Water Power Magazine; AP).
- Output & ambition: Pilot produces about 100 kilowatts (~100 homes); plan to scale to 60 megawatts along the port’s 8-mile breakwater (iHeart/KFI AM 640; Los Angeles Times).
Key information
What: The pilot is the first onshore wave-energy installation in the United States, employing seven blue steel floaters mounted at the waterline that move with each swell to drive onshore hydraulics. (Los Angeles Times; iHeart/KFI AM 640).
Who: The project is led by Eco Wave Power in partnership with AltaSea and Shell Marine Renewable Energy. (Water Power Magazine; AP).
How the onshore wave energy project works
The system sits on an unused wharf at the Port of Los Angeles and uses seven blue steel floaters mounted at the waterline. As waves rise and fall, the floaters move and drive hydraulic pistons onshore. Those pistons convert motion into electricity that flows to the grid, operating continuously—day and night—when waves are available.
Design advantage: Keeping sensitive machinery on land is a central feature meant to lower maintenance costs and reduce environmental risks compared with offshore devices. (iHeart/KFI AM 640; Los Angeles Times).
Why onshore matters — environmental and cost advantages
Project backers say onshore designs avoid disturbing the seabed, limit exposure to harsh ocean conditions, and make repairs and monitoring easier because critical equipment sits onshore. That reduces both environmental impact and the large upfront costs that have slowed many offshore wave-energy experiments.
“Ready to scale,” AltaSea CEO Terry Tamminen said, describing the design as resolving many challenges that stymied earlier efforts. (Water Power Magazine)
Highlighted benefit: lower maintenance costs and reduced environmental footprint when compared with seabed-mounted or fully offshore devices.
Current output, expansion plans and scale
The pilot installation currently supplies roughly 100 kilowatts—about enough for 100 homes under typical use—and serves as a demonstration of the technology’s reliability. The longer-term aim is to expand along the port’s 8-mile breakwater to reach up to 60 megawatts, which could power roughly 60,000 homes if fully realized.
Project leaders emphasize that the pilot is designed to prove commercial viability and build the groundwork for much larger installation and investment rounds. (iHeart/KFI AM 640; Los Angeles Times; Water Power Magazine).
Local voices and expert reactions
Port officials and renewable-energy experts framed the launch as a practical step toward cleaner port operations. Michael Galvin, the Port of Los Angeles’ director of waterfront and commercial real estate, said projects like this are “crucial for achieving a zero-emission port complex.” (iHeart/KFI AM 640).
Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe, noted the Los Angeles installation could open doors for similar projects at other American ports, signaling broader interest in marine-based clean power. (AP).
Eco Wave Power’s CEO, Inna Braverman, said the company plans further projects abroad, including in Taiwan, India and Portugal—underscoring a global strategy to scale onshore wave technology. (Water Power Magazine).
Policy and funding context
The project aligns with local and state clean-energy goals: Los Angeles aims for 100% clean energy by 2035 and California targets carbon neutrality by 2045. Advocates say marine energy can support those timetables by adding a steady, predictable source of renewable power. (iHeart/KFI AM 640; Los Angeles Times).
At the federal level, Congresswoman Nanette Díaz Barragán introduced the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, a proposal to create a $1 billion program to speed deployment of marine energy solutions nationwide—potential federal backing that supporters say could help scale pilots to commercial projects. (Water Power Magazine).
Economic and community considerations
Proponents highlight potential economic benefits including new green jobs, local contracting for construction and maintenance, and reduced fuel costs tied to cleaner port operations. The Port of Los Angeles has long faced criticism for pollution affecting nearby neighborhoods such as Wilmington and Carson; backers argue adding low-emission energy sources could lower local air pollution and related health burdens. (iHeart/KFI AM 640; AP).
Questions and limits — what investigators are watching
While optimism is high, experts and community advocates are watching several open questions:
- Reliability & maintenance: Long-term exposure to saltwater and storms remains a concern. Proponents say onshore designs mitigate many problems, but long-term data is limited. (Los Angeles Times; Water Power Magazine).
- Cost & financing: Scaling from a 100-kilowatt pilot to tens of megawatts will require public and private funding and clear regulatory pathways. (iHeart/KFI AM 640; Water Power Magazine).
- Environmental monitoring: Observers want long-term studies to confirm low-impact claims even when installations use existing wharves rather than seabed anchors. (Los Angeles Times).
Scalability and the broader picture
Supporters say the Port of Los Angeles pilot could serve as a template for other U.S. ports. Rémi Gruet of Ocean Energy Europe suggested the demonstration could unlock similar projects across the country. The U.S. Energy Information Administration and commentators referenced by the Los Angeles Times have noted the theoretical potential of wave energy if widely adopted.
Implications for the Inland Empire, California
Economic impact: Scaling onshore wave energy at the Port of Los Angeles could spur regional job growth reaching the Inland Empire—construction, electrical work, and maintenance contracts may create opportunities for workers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. (iHeart/KFI AM 640; Water Power Magazine).
Political consequences: Inland Empire leaders—focused on jobs and housing affordability—may support clean energy projects that promise local work. Federal initiatives such as the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act could direct more funding to regional projects. (Water Power Magazine).
Social effects: Reduced port emissions can improve air quality downwind of the port complex, potentially easing health burdens that affect neighboring counties and the broader Inland Empire. (iHeart/KFI AM 640; AP).
Practical applications: Residents and businesses may see indirect benefits—lower electricity costs if renewable supply grows, better air quality if port emissions drop, and job opportunities tied to expansion. Workforce programs and vocational training could position Inland Empire workers for roles in marine renewables. (iHeart/KFI AM 640; Water Power Magazine).
Funding and next steps
Project leaders say the pilot’s performance will guide plans to expand along the breakwater, but moving from 100 kilowatts to tens of megawatts will require additional investment, permitting and long-term environmental monitoring. Congressional proposals and state climate targets could help unlock financing and regulatory support.
The Port, Eco Wave Power, AltaSea and private partners will be watched closely as they collect data and press for broader deployment. (Water Power Magazine; Los Angeles Times).
Reporting draws on coverage by KFI AM 640 / iHeart, Los Angeles Times, Water Power Magazine, and The Associated Press.
