Oregon Wave Energy Trust

Aquamarine Power USA to investigate wave energy potential in Oregon

View Original Source at Water Power Magazine

August 11th, 2011

Wave energy company Aquamarine Power USA, a subsidiary of the UK’s Aquamarine Power, has been awarded a $100,000 matching grant by the Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET) to gather data on the wave energy potential of the sea along Oregon’s coast.

The grant is for Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) installation. The ADCPs will measure the wave energy resource at a number of points along the coast. This is an essential first step in finding areas suitable for wave power projects. Aquamarine Power’s goal is to find a potential location for the installation of a demonstration array of three wave energy devices which the company aims to install by 2016. The company will match the grant with $100,000 of its own funds.

This follows the award of a $50,000 matching feasibility grant to Aquamarine Power USA by OWET in November 2010.

The two grants will support a study into the wave energy potential off the coast in the service areas of Central Lincoln People’s Utility District and Tillamook People’s Utility District.

“We thank OWET and their partners at the Oregon Innovation Council for supporting our grant proposal,” said Martin McAdam, Chief Executive Officer of Aquamarine Power. “Oregon’s abundant wave resource offers an excellent opportunity to create new jobs and growth in the state’s economy. Our company is already investing significantly in Oregon and this resource assessment will enable us to identify sites with potential for an initial 3MW demonstration project. This would involve three devices being installed in Oregon waters by 2016.”

McAdam says the studies will be dependent on his company securing seabed leases for the ADCPs from the Department of State Lands and a clear route to completion of the state’s Territorial Sea Plan process.

“We hope the state will put in place the leasing and permitting regime which will give us the confidence to deploy the ADCPs next year and unlock our investment in Oregon. Currently this is not possible,” McAdam added. “The successful completion of the Territorial Sea Plan, which aims to produce a marine spatial plan for marine energy development, is crucial to our company and to others who wish to work in Oregon. The ADCP study will enable us to gather top quality scientific data on the state’s wave energy resource and enter into more informed discussions on the economic and environmental benefits which a thriving marine energy sector could bring.”

Reaching Out

Did You Know?

Oregon is a leader in wave energy.

Oregon focuses on a collaborative model for getting wave energy projects in the water.

That Oregon’s Coastline is among a few places in the world that has the key elements to tap into wave energy?

That Oregon can enjoy an abundance of energy generated by ocean waves?

That our state contains internationally- recognized experts who are leading efforts to responsibly develop wave energy?

That Oregon has capacity to build, maintain and deliver sustainable wave energy power to the grid?

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Why support Oregon Wave Energy Trust?

Wave energy is one key part of the comprehensive alternative energy solution for Oregon. And thanks to a combination of unique characteristics is the only source of energy where Oregon enjoys such a clear competitive advantage. As a result, Oregon’s wave energy industry provides myriad opportunities to deliver significant economic benefits to the state.

Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET) works closely with our state- wide stakeholders: fishing and environmental groups, coastal communities and industry, government agencies and other partners in responsibly developing this new industry while establishing Oregon as the North American leader in wave energy. The work that we do is the real benefit we offer our members.

Our Founding Partners

Oregon Wave Energy Trust was funded in part with Oregon State Lottery Funds administered by the Oregon Business Development Department. It is one of six Oregon Innovation Council initiatives supporting innovation and long term economic growth.