Oregon Wave Energy Trust

Research + Development

Initiate applied research projects to answer questions key to wave energy development.

Please note: many of the OWET project reports posted on the Web site are large files. Download times may vary. We appreciate your patience.

Comprehensive Industry Project List

Acoustic Characterization Study

Cash match to support NNMREC’s test berth development through an Acoustic Characterization study.

Advanced Anchoring and Mooring Study

Establish an industry knowledge base for existing anchoring and mooring techniques and recommendations for future analysis.

Advancing Commercialization of Ocean Wave Energy Technology in Oregon

The goal of this open program is to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative ocean energy technologies to provide a domestic source of clean, affordable energy that is both economical and ecologically responsible. OWET aims to further the sponsorship of current and necessary research, development, test, evaluation, and demonstration of these emerging technologies, in.. [read more]

Assessment of Underwater Noise Generated by Wave Energy Devices

Document a methodology for measuring the existing environmental conditions for comparison to the noise spectra generated by wave energy devices.

Direct Drive WEC – Power Electronics Design

Offshore direct drive wave energy conversion systems (WECS) operate in a challenging marine environment, in terms of operation, maintenance and survivability. The power electronics required to handle the corrosive environment and the wide range of available power for harvesting are crucial to safe and efficient operation. Understanding these conditions and being able to validate the computer models that effectively predict the actual performance requirements is an essential prerequisite to developing a robust design for commercial-scale WECS. Computer modeling has been validated in wave tank tests at 33rd and 15th scale experiments and are currently being validated in sea trials with a 7th scale prototype.

Electromagnetic Field Measurements

This study developed and demonstrated affordable, reliable, and repeatable electromagnetic (EM) measurements in the near-shore environment. The study was conducted in several stages, with a technical reports provided at each stage to document and describe the findings.

Protective, Modular Wave Power Generation System

Shift Power’s goal is to take energy out of waves before they impact breakwaters, embankments and other marine structures.

Sediment Transport Project

Baseline Observations and Modeling for the Reedsport Wave Energy Site
Assess the potential effects of wave energy devices on sediment transport and on the morphology of beaches.

Wave Lab Testing and Model Analysis

During this research effort Neptune will build a scale model WEC and utilize the Wave Lab at Oregon State University to test the performance of the model. This next generation model (i.e., a 1/10 scale model called Model 2.0) will include additional configuration capabilities, additional and more sensitive instrumentation, and full power-take-off (PTO) modeling.

WEC-Array Far-Field Effects Analysis

This is a project supplement to our ongoing DOE-funded study on the performance of wave energy arrays (a joint effort between Oregon State University and CPT). The present supplement will fund 5 days of additional lab testing. These tests will allow us to complete our performance characterization of the five individual WECs (and their mooring.. [read more]

ScholarsArchive @ OSU

The OSU Libraries and OWET are partners in providing long-term access to OWET reports and publications. OWET either holds copyright for these materials or has retained permission from the copyright holder to make the publications freely available. Visit the ScholarsArchive @ OSU

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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Membership

Join Us.

Become a member for Oregon’s future.

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.

Featured: Planning and Assessment Frameworks for Oregon Wave Energy Projects