LA Port Turns Ocean Waves Into Power for 60,000 Homes

Los Angeles just turned its ocean waves into a power source that could light up thousands of homes, and it's happening at a port that once stored oil.

Eco Wave Power unveiled a smart wave energy system at the Port of Los Angeles in September 2025. The pilot project partners with AltaSea, All-Ways Metal, and C&S Welding to test technology that has struggled for years to become practical.

The system uses seven floaters attached to the port's existing breakwater. When waves push the floaters up and down, they trigger hydraulic fluid movement that creates pressure. That pressure powers a motor and generator, producing clean electricity without fuel or emissions.

Wave energy has always seemed promising but faced serious roadblocks. Harsh ocean conditions corrode equipment quickly, driving up maintenance costs. Installation challenges made projects expensive before they even started. Regulatory permits added another layer of difficulty.

Eco Wave Power designed its system with storm protection built in, addressing one of the biggest concerns. By mounting equipment on existing structures instead of floating it offshore, they cut installation complexity and costs.

The pilot will run for two years to prove the technology works reliably. If successful, Eco Wave Power plans to expand along 8 miles of the Port of Los Angeles breakwater. That expansion would generate enough electricity to power nearly 60,000 homes.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about Los Angeles. Founder and CEO Inna Braverman sees this pilot as a demonstration platform for the world. "We're starting here in LA, but we hope, aspire, and believe that we will be in the United States and in other locations around the world," she said.

The company already connected its wave technology to Israel's power grid. Plans are underway for expansion to India, Portugal, Taiwan, and New Jersey.

The U.S. coastline holds enormous untapped energy potential. California and Hawaii attract surfers because of powerful waves, but those same waves could power communities. The country has focused heavily on hydropower from rivers and dams, leaving ocean energy largely unexplored.

Repurposing old oil infrastructure for clean energy carries special meaning. The Port of Los Angeles breakwater that once supported fossil fuel storage now hosts technology that could help replace it. That transformation from old energy to new energy tells a powerful story about what's possible.

Wave energy works day and night, unlike solar power, and doesn't depend on wind patterns. It could fill gaps when other renewable sources aren't producing, making clean energy more reliable and consistent.

If the pilot succeeds, ports worldwide could follow LA's lead and transform their coastlines into clean power generators.