SR-510-005-02
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Santa Monica, California, March 12~ 1981
MAR 2 4 1981
5/&J- 06)S-02-
TO: Mayor and C1ty Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Grant Application for a Small Llave Power Generator
Demonstration Project
Introduction
This report recommends the City Council authorize the submission of a
grant application to the Department of Energy for a small wave energy
demonstration project to be located on the Pler.
Ba.ckground
Twice a year the Department of Energy offers grants up to $50,000 for
demonstration projects of small-scale innovative energy technologies.
The deadline for this years! first round of funding is March 19, 1981.
On March 3, an energy consulting firm, AeroV1ronment of Pasadena, approached
City staff with a concept for a wave energy project. The concept involves
attaching a 15 foot long pipe 14 inches 1n d1ameter to one of the Pier
pilings. Approximately 100 watts of electricity w1ll be generated by the
wave action moving through the pipe and rotating a turbine. A project
drawing is attached.
The electricity generated will run a small display on the Pier 111ustrating
the device and suggesting future designs for much larger and more efficient
converters. The estimated cost of the project is $46,000, fully grant funded.
This 1ncludes engineerlng fabrication, testing and evaluation. The purpose
of this project is not so much energy production as a demonstration of a
new technology. Data gathered from this proJect will contribute to the
grow1ng science of wave energy generatlon.
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MAR 2 4 1981
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TO: Mayor and C1ty Councll
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March 12, 1981
AeroVironment could not apply for the grant because they do not qualify
as an appllcant under the grant terms. Staff agreed to submit the grant
as long as AeroVlronment supplied the techn1cal data necessary for the
appl1cat1on and assured staff of thelr abllity to deslgn and bUlld the
proposed devlce. They d1d th15 at no charge.
Slnce the grant applicatlon deadline 1S March 19, 1981. staff had to
subm1t the proposal before C1ty Counc1l approval could be obtained. If
the C1ty Council chooses not to authorize thlS proposal. staff will wlth-
draw the appllcation from the Department of Energy and not1fy AeroVironment
of the Councll IS decislon. If the Clty Councll approves the appl1catlon.
the design and lnstallatlon will also require approval of the Architectural
ReV1ew Board and the Landmarks Commisslon.
Recommendation
Staff recommends the C1ty Council authorlze the submission of a grant
appl1catlon to the Department of Energy for a small wave energy demon-
station proJect located on the Pier.
Prepared by' Stan Scholl
Karen Rathbun
Attachment: Wave Generator Drawing
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