Oregon Wave Energy Trust

Ocean energy gaining momentum in Washington

View Original Source at KPLU

November 15th, 2011

By Bellamy Pailthorp

You might call it harnessing the power of the moon.

Ocean energy is electricity that is generated when the power of tides, waves and currents moves turbines and windmills. It’s an idea that’s caught on already in Oregon. And there are plans on the horizon to bring it to Washington.

It’s a nascent idea in Washington, but people are definitely talking about it. The Washington State Ocean Energy Conference last week in Bremerton had 200 participants looking at challenges and opportunities, such as how to put heavy turbines on the ocean floor and keep fisheries healthy.

At least one of the keynote speakers in Bremerton seems to be aggressively promoting the idea that ocean power is one of the best alternatives to overseas petroleum.

“My approach to this is we don’t say no to any other forms of energy. We’re just saying ocean energy is a very viable part of a future portfolio. We’re gonna need all of these other approaches – there’s no question,” says Jason Busch, who is with the Oregon Wave Energy Trust, a non-profit ocean energy developer in Oregon.

Busch also stopped by a breakfast gathering of clean tech enthusiasts early Friday morning in Seattle.

He says more local utilities should follow in the footsteps of Snohomish PUD, which together with federal agencies is funding a pilot project in Admiralty Inlet, near Whidbey Island.

Many utilities are interested in the power of the tides because it’s a more steady alternative source than wind, which is highly volatile, or solar power, which needs storage in batteries.

Senator Jim Hargrove, a Democrat who represents the coastal zone that includes the Olympic Peninsula and extends all the way to Ocean Shores, is cautioning that mining the ocean for power should not be done at the expense of other, established industries, such as fishing.

And there’s a new document from the department of Ecology, looking at best practices for “Marine Spatial Planning.”

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?

Have You Heard?

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Membership

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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.