Posted on Feb 14, 2022
US Department of Energy awards $25M for wave energy testing at first-in-nation Oregon facility
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Researchers from across the country can test new technology at the wave energy test site Oregon State University is building near Newport.
Just south of Newport, a new wave energy facility called PacWave is about a year away from being operational. It will be the first commercial-scale, grid-connected wave energy test site in the U.S. and one of few in the world.
Seven miles offshore, the Oregon State University facility won’t be visible from the beach. In fact, it won’t impact beach-goers at all.
PacWave’s chief scientist and OSU professor Burke Hales said he hopes the facility will help him and other researchers learn more about what impact renewable wave energy has onshore.
“It’s got very different characteristics than solar or wind — the waves are always going,” Hales said. “The sunsets, and you can’t harvest any solar energy when the sun is down, but the waves are still persisting … It will always be there.”
Just south of Newport, a new wave energy facility called PacWave is about a year away from being operational. It will be the first commercial-scale, grid-connected wave energy test site in the U.S. and one of few in the world.
Seven miles offshore, the Oregon State University facility won’t be visible from the beach. In fact, it won’t impact beach-goers at all.
PacWave’s chief scientist and OSU professor Burke Hales said he hopes the facility will help him and other researchers learn more about what impact renewable wave energy has onshore.
“It’s got very different characteristics than solar or wind — the waves are always going,” Hales said. “The sunsets, and you can’t harvest any solar energy when the sun is down, but the waves are still persisting … It will always be there.”
US Department of Energy awards $25M for wave energy testing at first-in-nation Oregon facility
Posted from opb.org
Energy
Oregon State University
Newport
Government Contracts
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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This is actually a good area to invest research dollars into, wave energy technology. Something that is persistent and can be counted on are tidal waves in littoral areas. No reason this energy cannot be harvested efficiently. Coastal towns in the US & worldwide could benefit greatly from this effort if it's perfected. Interesting share PO1 William "Chip" Nagel ..!
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Charlie, it is being built in the water. Wave testing doesn't do any good if it's on land.
"Seven miles offshore, the Oregon State University facility won’t be visible from the beach. In fact, it won’t impact beach-goers at all."
"Seven miles offshore, the Oregon State University facility won’t be visible from the beach. In fact, it won’t impact beach-goers at all."
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I would love to see the environmental documents that give authorization to spend thus funding.
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