Abstract
This report presents the results of a study addressing the feasibility of generating electrical power from waves in the Pacific Ocean west of the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF). The study included site-specific measurement of wave data at a location approximately 8 miles west of San Francisco during the fall and winter of 2008-2009 to confirm the magnitude of the wave resource. A screening-level assessment of wave energy conversion (WEC) devices identified the status of device development and applicability to a San Francisco project based on site-specific criteria, which were developed considering marine species and habitats, commercial and recreational activities, and regional planning. A limited number of promising wave energy conversion devices were further investigated to develop estimates of annual power generation, and the likely cost of power if a 30-megawatt (MW) wave farm were to be developed in the study area. The results of the study are encouraging, and suggest that over 100 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of power could be produced annually at a cost in the range of 17 to 22 cents per kilowatthour (¢/kWh). This cost is comparable with the cost to produce solar photovoltaic power.