The nation’s first onshore wave energy project officially launched this week at the Port of Los Angeles, signaling a new chapter for renewable energy development. Developed by Swedish company Eco Wave Power in partnership with AltaSea, a nonprofit ocean institute at the port, the pilot aims to prove that ocean waves can provide a steady and scalable source of clean electricity.
The project uses seven steel floaters attached to the port’s wharf, which rise and fall with the movement of the ocean. That motion compresses pistons, pushing hydraulic fluid into tanks onshore. The pressure spins a motor, powering a generator that produces electricity. Unlike offshore systems that are costly and disruptive to marine life, Eco Wave Power’s onshore approach keeps expensive equipment on land while minimizing environmental impact.
Currently, the project generates up to 100 kilowatts of power, enough for about 100 households. Company officials say the long-term goal is far larger: expanding along the port’s eight-mile breakwater to produce 60 megawatts, capable of powering roughly 60,000 homes.
“This pilot is more than a project—it’s a milestone,” said Inna Braverman, Eco Wave Power’s co-founder and chief executive. “It shows that onshore wave energy can be deployed right here, along existing port infrastructure, without harming the ocean and in a scalable way.”
Renewable Energy Potential and Climate Goals
Wave power offers an advantage over wind and solar because it operates continuously, eliminating the need for large-scale battery storage. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that wave energy could supply more than 60% of the nation’s electricity demand if fully harnessed.
Experts say the Los Angeles project demonstrates the viability of wave power on a broader scale. “Any time people are testing and developing novel technologies, particularly those that harness the renewable power of the ocean, that’s a fantastic situation,” said Bryson Robertson, director of the Pacific Marine Energy Center at Oregon State University.
If scaled, the project could play a role in helping Los Angeles achieve its goal of 100% clean energy by 2035 and support California’s broader target of carbon neutrality by 2045. Officials at the Port of Los Angeles also hope the technology will contribute to reducing pollution in nearby communities that have long suffered from emissions tied to shipping and freight operations.
Projects like this are “critical for us in our long-term strategy to become the first zero-emission port complex in the world,” said Michael Galvin, the port’s director of waterfront and commercial real estate.
Challenges and Next Steps
While promising, scaling onshore wave energy is not without challenges. Regulatory hurdles, licensing requirements, and limited funding have slowed development across the U.S. The AltaSea project required approvals from both the Port of Los Angeles and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a process that took about two years.
The pilot, which cost under $1 million, was funded jointly by Eco Wave Power and Shell. Braverman said a recent feasibility study identified 77 U.S. sites suitable for commercial wave energy projects, with costs projected to be comparable to onshore wind and cheaper than offshore wind.
California is also preparing to accelerate the sector. Senate Bill 605, recently enacted, directs the state to create a comprehensive roadmap for wave energy.
“Today, we are not just cutting a ribbon,” Braverman said during the launch. “We are opening the door to a new era of clean energy for California and for the world.”
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