Why Ocean Wave Energy ?

Waves Waves are a concentrated form of solar energy Technology to convert wave energy to electrical energy is in its beginning phase > 1000 Patents < 2 MW Installed How are waves formed – from the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by the sun creating winds which when blown over a fetch of ocean, creates waves. The natural processes in the ocean concentrate the solar and wind energy into ocean waves of much greater power density than the original solar and wind energy itself. The technology to convert waves into electrical energy is in its early phase of development. Based on work in Europe and Australia, the technology is now ready for demonstration and based on the results of this feasibility study, a compelling case to invest in wave energy RD&D has been made. The next step is a feasibility demonstration of the technology in one or more U.S. sites to show o Its power production performance efficiency o Its reliability, maintainability and availability o Its ability to be cost effective o Its ability to survive storms and operate with a 20 year life Demonstration in the U.S. is the Next Needed Step in the Technology Development Process

Introduction to Wave Energy New forms of Energy are required ! Compared to Other Renewables, Wave Energy Advantages: Higher energy density, availability (80 – 90%) and predictability It is estimated that if 0.2% of the ocean’s untapped energy could be harnessed, it could provide power sufficient for the entire world.

Wave Energy Extraction Technologies Point Absorber (OPT, Finavera) Oscillating Water Column (Energetech/Oceanlinx) Overtopping, Wave Dragon Attenuator, Pelamis WP EPRI surveyed, collected information and assessed existing wave energy conversion devices. Sixteen worldwide manufacturers were queried of which 12 provided information of which eight devices passed the initial screening consisting of two factors Is the device likely to be ready for demonstration in the late 2006 time period? Has the device manufacturer provided sufficient information to prove the survivability in storm conditions? The eight devices which passed the initial screen can be grouped into one of four generic types as shown above AquaEnergy floating point absorber Ocean Power Delivery Pelamis floating attenuator – the most technologically mature of the devices. A full scale prototype achieved the milestone last summer of being the first offshore wave device to transmit power to an electrical grid Wave Dragon floating overtopping ramp terminator Energetech bottom mounted oscillating water column terminator

OSU Strategic Facilities to Advance Wave Energy Wallace Energy Systems & Renewables Facility (WESRF) O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Lab (HWRL)

Power from Ocean Waves Available Resource off Oregon Coast NDBC Data Buoys CDIP (SCRIPPS) Data Buoys 50% of the US population lives within 50 miles of the coast Oregon has some of the richest ocean wave energy potentials in the world

Power From Ocean Waves kW/m crest length

Power From Ocean Waves Wave energy is strongest on the west coasts and increases toward the poles. At approx. 30 kW/mcl in the Northwest (yearly avg.), a single meter (3.3 feet) of wave has the raw energy to power about 23 homes. [George Hagerman]

Sept. 2008 Buoy

Sept. 2008 Deployment

Sept. 2008 Deployment

1st Stage Demonstration Center Test Berth