Oregon Wave Energy Trust

Wave energy test platform deployed off Oregon coast

View Original Source at Breaking Waves

August 22nd, 2012

Oregon State University began operations this week of one of the first public wave energy testing systems in the U.S. The Ocean Sentinel, as the system is called, is a $1.5 million mooring platform located two miles off Yaquina Head on the central Oregon coast, and available to academic and industry researchers working in wave or tidal power.

“The Ocean Sentinel will provide a standardized, accurate system to compare various wave energy technologies, including systems that may be better for one type of wave situation or another,” says Sean Moran, ocean test facilities manager at the center. The first industry use of the test platform is expected in a few days.

Wave energy is a technology still in its infancy, says the university. Power is generated from wave energy through the use of large buoys that move up and down in ocean swells to produce large and sustainable supplies of electricity, or similar methods.

The Ocean Sentinel was developed by the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center in Newport, Oregon. The device is expected generate measurements and data about wave resources, and study the energy output of wave power systems. The platform, says Moran, “will provide a standardized, accurate system to compare various wave energy technologies, including systems that may be better for one type of wave situation or another.”

Unlike some alternative energy forms such as wind energy, says the university, no one technology will likely dominate the wave energy field. Some systems may work better in low wave settings, while others will likely operate more effectively with more powerful waves. The Ocean Sentinel, says the university, will be able to measure wave amplitude, device energy output, ocean currents, wind speeds, extremes of wave height and other data.

The test mooring platform was made possible with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Oregon Department of Energy, and the Oregon Wave Energy Trust. University of Washington is a partner with Oregon State in the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center, that developed the Ocean Sentinel.

Among the questions the Ocean Sentinel will answer is its own staying power in the rugged ocean environment off the Oregon coast. “We’re still trying to figure out what will happen when some of these devices have to stand up to 50-foot waves,” says Moran.

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.