West Coast waves a world-class energy resource, researchers say

University of Victoria researchers say that as a future source of abundant renewable energy, the waves off Vancouver Island's west coast are really swell.

The university's West Coast Wave Initiativeis launching a fifth monitoring buoy next month to measure the energy potential off the coast of Vancouver Island.

• Tidal power technology rolls into Haida Gwaii shores
• Floating turbine system to be tested in Bay of Fundy
• Could Bay of Fundy tides generate enough power for all of Atlantic Canada?

Brad Buckham, the director of the West Coast Wave Initiative, saidthe west coast of VancouverIsland is a world-class resourcefor future wave energy development.

"You're notgoingto find very many locations that are better," hetoldOn The IslandhostGregorCraigie.

The area'stidal energy potential is demonstrated forcefullyevery year when late January storms atAmphitritePoint near Ucluelet generate waves 14 to15 metres high.

"Imagine what the wave would look like if you were at the buoy at the time of the measurements,"Buckhamsaid. "[It's] like a twoorthree-storey building coming at you."

"That's obviously an impressive resource."

Wave power is different fromtidal power generation, which is also in development on both of Canada's coasts. It usesthe oscillations in a wave to drive a turbine, compared to tidal power'suse of a steady tidal current to drive uniform rotation of a turbine.

The UVicresearchers have had buoys collecting data inthe water on and off since 2007. They are currently near Port Renfrew, atAmphitrite Banksouthwest of Ucluelet, at Florencia Bay between Ucluelet and Tofinoandnearthe EstevanPointlighthouse station.

"The buoys really give you a high-fidelity picture of the waves at those four specific locations," Buckham said.

What the data shows is that average annual wave energy at any of the buoy locationsis 35 to40 kilowatts per metre of wave.

Average peak demand at a residence in the developed world is about twokilowatts, Buckham said,"with everyone running their toasters and computers and charging their iPhones."

Despite the potential, Buckham is not aware of any immediate plans for harnessing thepower of the waves.

Buckham said withadequate B.C. power already coming from relatively clean hydroelectric generation, there is currentlylittle appetite for taking on the risk of shifting into a transformative technology such as wave power.

Withfilesfrom CBC Radio One's On The Island

To hear the full story, click the audio labelled:West coast waves a world-class energy resource, researchers say