TESTING THE WAVES

It is predicted (in the lead post, above) that wave-tide-current energy will win a new level of legitimacy in the US congressional energy bill this fall.

Wave energy test set for possible mooring deployment next week
Terry Dillman, August 15, 2007 (Newport News-Times)

WHO
Researchers, Wallace Energy Systems and Renewables Facility (WESRF), Oregon State University (OSU); OSU electrical engineering professor Annette von Jouanne; Fishermen Involved in Natural Energy (FINE); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC);

Industry leaders (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Deployment of the mooring system for wave energy test buoys means a test of wave energy will get under way.

WHEN
Deployment is scheduled for August 23.
OSU has been developing wave enrgy since 1998.

WHERE
- The mooring system will be off Newport on the Oregon central coast, off Lincoln County shoreline, 2 miles west of Agate Beach, 1 mile SW of near Yakima Head lighthouse.
- The central Oregon coast is considered prime wind energy territory. Lincoln County Commissioners have been pro-active in developing FERC applications and working with the local utilities to develop wind energy.

The Finavera buoy (click to enlarge)

WHY
- Deployment is weather dependent. Permits and plans are in place. 3 buoys for small scale 1-year testing: 1 from OSU, 1 from Finavera Renewables, 1 a TriAxys directional wave monitoring and measuring buoy
- OSU Wave Energy Small-Scale Test Berth Site is the 1st ocean wave test site.
WESRF is the US only federally funded research program for direct wave-to-electricity conversion, tho this test project will not be connected to the grid.
The 19-member FINE will (1) assign siting up to 12 miles off the coast and (2) review all applications. It has advised trawlers to not fish the test area.

The inside of the buoy and how it works. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Commissioner Terry Thompson: "It's vital for fisheries and wave energy to co-exist…What I'm worried about is we'll trade off a renewable food resource for a renewable power resource. As a community, it doesn't benefit us to lose one to gain another. We're trying to make it possible to do both well."
WESRF brochure warning fishing trawlers away from the test site: "This is where potential gear entanglement could occur…"