US Begins Testing Wave Energy Technology in Los Angeles Harbor
Los Angeles, CA – September 9, 2025 - A pilot project launched today at AltaSea in the Port of Los Angeles marks a notable step toward harnessing the power of ocean waves for electricity generation. Eco Wave Power is testing its wave energy floaters, designed to convert the motion of the sea into usable power.The project utilizes eight wave energy floaters attached to an existing concrete pier. These floaters feed energy into conversion units housed within two 20-foot shipping containers, wich transform the wave motion into electricity.
If prosperous in demonstrating its viability to California authorities, Eco wave Power plans a major expansion, aiming to install hundreds of its floating energy converters along the Port of Los Angeles’s 13-kilometer (eight-mile) breakwater. This large-scale installation could perhaps generate enough electricity to power 60,000 US households.
Wave energy offers a reliable and endlessly renewable power source, unlike solar which is limited by nighttime and wind power which depends on weather conditions. the US Department of Energy estimates waves off the American West coast alone could theoretically power 130 million homes, supplying roughly a third of the nation’s annual electricity needs.
Despite this potential,wave energy development has historically lagged behind other renewables due to challenges in large-scale commercialization,often stemming from the difficulties of maintaining equipment installed in the open ocean. Eco Wave Power’s design addresses these concerns with a retractable, dock-mounted system that can be raised to a safe position during storms, minimizing damage and maintenance costs.
The company has already demonstrated its technology by powering homes in israel at the port of Jaffa, and has upcoming installations planned in Portugal, Taiwan, and India. Eco Wave Power aims to scale up to 20-megawatt projects competitive with other energy sources.The company reports its design promises zero environmental impact on local wildlife.
The project aligns with California’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 and represents a vital step in transitioning away from fossil fuels to combat climate change.