Oregon Wave Energy Trust

Environmental Research

Initiate environmental 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

Baseline Characterization of Benthic Habitats and Organisms on the Oregon Central and South Coasts

The goal of these studies was to characterize, via observations and sample collection, the habitats and biological assemblages present at future wave energy testing and demonstration sites. The future site of the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center Ocean Test Facility near Newport, Oregon was sampled repeatedly from spring 2010 to fall 2011. The site of the future Reedsport Wave Park and a reference location were sampled in summer 2011. Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of a site is necessary prior to evaluating potential project effects.

Baseline Seabird Assessment

Collected data on marine bird species composition, abundance, and distribution during the NOAA Fisheries California Current Ecosystem Survey research expedition.

Bird Radar Study

Avian radar sampling conducted during fall 2010 to measure the bird movement rates, flight directions, and flight behavior over and in the vicinity of the Reedsport Wave Energy Project area.

Cumulative Effects Analysis Framework

The OWET Cumulative Effects Analysis Framework is a multi-criteria decision making tool for evaluating the potential impacts of various ocean renewable energy technologies. The tool is designed to provide decision makers, stakeholders and the public more information about the potential impacts associated with various development scenarios. The tool includes three main parts: data library of applicable resource data; resource and development interaction database; and a user interface that combines the data and interaction to allow for alternatives analysis. The final product is a GIS tool for assessing various development scenarios and the potential impacts and benefits.

Dungeness Crab and Fish Baseline Study

Establish consistent baseline data for sub-adult and adult Dungeness crab in and around potential project sites.

Ecological Effects Scientific Workshop

Scientific workshop to determine the state of knowledge on the potential effects of wave energy technology on the ecological and physical components of coastal ecosystems.

Marine Mammal Study

Phase 1: Survey of migratory routes and potential locational effects of wave energy development on gray whale migration.

Oregon Dungeness Crab Tagging Study

There was a need to establish a baseline of the biotic community within the Ocean Power Technologies project area off of Reedsport, Oregon. As part of a larger baseline study, conducted by HT Harvey and Ecology, 2788 adult male Dungeness crabs (Cancer magister) were tagged in the fall of 2009. Commercial fishermen and seafood processors returned 952 tags. Many of which had exact locations of where the crab was recaptured, allowing researchers to determine short-term movements.

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