Oregon's New Gold Rush? Wave Energy Parks

 Yesterday it was announced that Oceanlinx Limited has started the process of developing a wave energy facility near Florence Oregon. Earlier, Ocean Power Technology started the process near Reedsport. According to Worldlink.com's Susan Chambers, "to date there are 7 projects proposed for the Oregon Coast."

Wave Energy Parks consist of buoys anchored to the ocean floor that ride ocean swells. inside of each buoy is equipment that would harness a portion of the swells' energy, convert it to electricity and transmit it to shore. Chamber's article states that "Some proposals call for up to 200 buoys in a single area, up to about 5 square miles. All must be approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission."

So what are Wave Energy Parkss? Follow the following link to Oregon State University's Motor Systems Research Facility . There are a number of posters taht can be viewed or downloaded.

While this isn't popular with local fishermen, it is a wonderful step towards an alternate energy source and could help stimulate the economies of several depressed Oregon communities. Only time will tell if it is beneficial.

Larry Morris is a loan Officer with Equipoint Financial Network in Newberg, Oregon. He specializes in relocations and Sherwood, Oregon neighborhoods. He can be reached at larry.morris@equipoint.com. His website is www.PDX-Mortgage.com.

 
This post has been included in Oregon Information

13 Comments on Oregon's New Gold Rush? Wave Energy Parks

My question would be what is the effect on marine life of so many bouys floating around.

05/02/2007 11:00 AM by Bill Westel, ECO (Eco-Steward Realty)


From what I can tell the impact is less on the marine life as these are basically just buoys floating around. In fact it could be beneficial as it would restrict fishing to some degree. The fishermen are up in arms as they will have to avoid many of these areas. It appears that prime wave energy park areas are also prime fish habitat areas. But it's a fairly benign technology.

05/02/2007 11:15 AM by Larry Morris, CMPS, Newberg Oregon (NW Lending Solutions)


Thanks Larry. I sometimes think that every part of the country could use some aspect of nature unique to them to help generate energy either solar, wind, geothermal, and now perhaps wave.  

05/02/2007 11:26 AM by Bill Westel, ECO (Eco-Steward Realty)


There's nothing more reliable on the Oregon coast then waves... It's just a matter of making it work for all parties.

05/02/2007 11:58 AM by Larry Morris, CMPS, Newberg Oregon (NW Lending Solutions)


Larry~ 

First of all..WELCOME to the ECO-All-Stars group! I'm janeAnne, the Moderator and am so happy you have joined us.

I'm a Big Fan of the Oregon Coast having lived in the Northwest for many years before relocating to Asheville. Like Bill, my first thought was about the impact on sea creatures...Thanks for your information. Keep it coming!

05/02/2007 10:59 PM by Asheville's GREEN Land & Homes ECO-Steward Realty


Janeanne - Thanks for the welcome. I haven't looked into these a lot, but my understanding is taht there would be much less of an environmental impact the hydro electric currently has. There appear to be several different platforms with some being shore based catching the power of teh waves, others resting on the bottom and others tethered to the bottom. I'm sure each has it's advantages. Sounds like a pretty exciting field to be in.

05/02/2007 11:32 PM by Larry Morris, CMPS, Newberg Oregon (NW Lending Solutions)


Larry,  how will this affect wave surfing?  I have a step brother in the area.

05/04/2007 03:28 PM by Gary Smith, Realtor® (The Michigan Group - Livingston)


If they are on the surface there won't be surfing allowed in that particular area. But my hunch also is taht these will be placed outside of the break. I believe they are using the swell as opposed to the break.

05/04/2007 04:47 PM by Larry Morris, CMPS, Newberg Oregon (NW Lending Solutions)


Larry thanks in the swell area makes sense.

05/05/2007 12:51 PM by Gary Smith, Realtor® (The Michigan Group - Livingston)


Really interesting stuff. Again, putting you at the top with a featured post : )

05/16/2007 09:36 PM by Bend Oregon REALTOR ® Kelli Fronabarger (Bend River Realty)


Thanks Kelli. It's pretty cool technology. It'll be interesting to see how this impacts the coastal economy.

05/17/2007 08:32 AM by Larry Morris, CMPS, Newberg Oregon (NW Lending Solutions)


That's a great idea - I was thinking of something like this only more in terms of harnissing the power of waves crashing somehow. But not being a scientist I don't know how this would work.

Thanks for the info! 

05/20/2007 03:51 PM by Abraham Chaffin - Cambria Real Estate (Sand Shell Realty)


Me too. But crashing waves create a lot of damage. Lathough, one of the potential methods did capture the energy on the shoreline. I would think the swell would be much less damaging.

05/20/2007 05:54 PM by Larry Morris, CMPS, Newberg Oregon (NW Lending Solutions)


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Loan Officer: Larry Morris, CMPS, Newberg Oregon (NW Lending Solutions)
Larry Morris, CMPS, Newberg Oregon
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