Wind and wave generators on the same platform.

Grays Harbor Ocean Energy Co has obtained a US federal preliminary permit for a demonstration project which uses a combination of wave and wind power generation. Basically, wind turbines harness wind energy from above the ocean's surface, while wave power generators, as part of the same facility, harness energy from waves, below the ocean's surface. The company has also obtained preliminary permits for seven sites in six US states. Each site has about 100 square miles in area, and is capable of generating 1 GW. The sites are located in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. Even though the permits are for wave power only, the platforms that will hold the wave power generators, can also support wind turbines. Grays Harbor Ocean Energy hopes these new projects will bring clean renewable wave and wind energy to coastal communities, as well as jobs.

We may be seeing one of these installations near San Francisco and near Ventura County. The location near San Francisco is rumored to be somewhere in between the Golden Gate and Farallon Island, in the middle of a marine sanctuary (which is bound to raise a few concerns).