Project description
CalWave develops a game-changing, next-generation and proprietary Wave Energy Converter to harness the vastly available, predictable and stable energy from ocean waves to serve coastal communities.
The problem we are solving
The high performing WEC operates fully submerged, allowing it to survive stormy seas while causing no visual pollution.
Sustainable impact on Blue Economy
CalWave's vision is to provide 500MW baseload renewable energy powered by ocean waves by 2040; displacing 774.8M tones of CO2 annually.
1.1) Short-term impact: Island Developing States (SIDS) Islands heavily rely on imported diesel for electricity production. 11% of the world's total population (730 million) lives on islands. Over 90% of power on islands is generated through imported fossil fuels. Emissions of diesel generators are 778 g Co2/kWh, nearly as high as coal. Diesel generators use imported heavy fuels and have to run at 50% capacity even without a load. Wave power can provide stable electricity at nights and during winters where wind and solar are not available.
1.2) Long-term impact: Utility-scale power. Offshore wind and wave farms combined can double their capacity factor. A larger percentage of variable renewables like wind and solar. Wave can reach a significantly better Energy to mass ratio as wave power is 30-60x denser than wind and solar. The IPCC lists Ocean Energy as lowest in lifecycle emissions at 17 gCO2eq/kWh.