Wave-Powered Energy Turning the Tide in Oregon

Wave power could soon become a large part of America’s energy infrastructure, and Oregon is on the cutting edge of development. 

The state has support from the public and private sector, but it is the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) that may realize the dream of commercial grid electricity generated through wave power.

Researchers from the University of Washington and Oregon State are behind NNMREC—Brian Polagye oversees projects with tidal energy, while Belinda Batten oversees wave energy. The group says in order to pioneer the new technology, they have to examine a variety of ideas.

“There is no one design (or handful of designs) that seems to be a leader,” said Anthony Casson, Public Information representative for NNMREC. 

Casson says the latest project tested is called WET-NZ, also known as the Ocean Sentinel. Essentially a wave energy converter (WEC), the device is located two to three miles offshore. The project (a joint effort between New Zealand and Oregon) recently completed its six-week testing cycle off the coast of Newport, Ore. The Ocean Sentinel tested electric generation off the grid and supplied NNMREC with power analysis, data environmental monitoring, and power dissipation control. 

The device is known as a point-absorber, and it hovers just below the ocean’s surface. The Ocean Sentinel generates power with a system of hydraulics that converts the device’s 360-degree rotation to electricity. 

Another WEC, called the ‘Power Buoy’ developed from New Jersey-based Ocean Power Technologies (OPT), will be tested this month. The Power Buoy will be moored off the coast of Reedsport, Ore., and (like the WET-NZ) is a floating point-absorber with most of its structure underwater with some structure above the ocean’s surface. 

Unlike the WET-NZ, the 150-kilowatt Power Buoy uses a giant piston-like device, which generates power with direct-drive mechanics. OPT hopes the Power Buoy could lead to an entire array of power buoys and eventually be connected to form the first wave array in the country. OPT currently has a license for 10 additional grid-connected buoys. 

“Part of NNMREC’s mission is to help people discover what the environmental and social impacts of implementing such devices are, if any exist,” said Casson. “We don’t really have the answers, because the industry is so young. It’s important to note that NNMREC is not a developer; we merely facilitate device development by providing the necessary testing resources. As a university, we also are tied to a large pool of researchers who are available to take new projects when funded.”

A second testing facility is expected to be deployed in May 2013, and is projected to produce between 5 to 10 megawatts (MW) within three years, depending on the type of WEC installed. 

Most people believe this burgeoning technology offers more promise than problems. A poll from the Oregon Wave Energy Trust shows that the majority of the state’s coastal residents approve of wave energy development. The nonprofit, public/private group surveyed 400 residents in seven coastal counties. 

“Oregon coastal residents recognize the tremendous potential of harnessing the power of their backyard,” OWET Executive Director Jason Busch said in a statement, according to Earth Techlink. 

But a small percentage still strongly oppose the technology. This group says they are concerned it might hurt fishing and ruin coastal views.

According to NNMREC’s Belinda Batten, device developers are expected from all over the world to come and test wave technology. But she says the group will work with a variety of stakeholders in locating the new facility, and examine what kind of environmental impact, if any, it may have.

“We are working with fishermen to find a site that is amenable to them,” Batten said. “I doubt much recreation will be affected—it’s only going to be 1 or 2 square nautical miles, so it won’t be a big deal for boats to go around it, and it’s too far out to affect anything like surfing.”

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