Wednesday 19 July 2023

California passes bill for clean energy

California has approved the Wave and Tidal Energy Bill to develop a new source of renewable energy.

The bill instructs California's energy policy and planning agency, California Energy Commission, to study the potential for wave and tidal energy development, sets deadlines to report its findings and consider pilot projects.

A research group, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, found that the state has an energy potential of 140 TWh/year, which is equivalent to the power needs of 13 million homes.

The legislation is sponsored by AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles and the wave energy power station at the port owned by Eco Wave Power.

Senator Alejandro Padilla said: "To meet our ambitious and necessary climate goals, California needs to explore every new avenue for clean energy.

"Wave power is clean, consistent, predictable, and, with over 1,000 miles of shoreline, our state has a unique opportunity to capitalise on this untapped energy source. We need to invest in innovation now to remain a leader in the clean energy future."

California has established 2045 as its deadline to achieve a carbon-free energy grid.