Oregon Opens First Wave Energy Testing Site on US Coast

Ocean waves could soon help power American homes, thanks to a new testing facility that just opened off the Oregon coast.

PacWave South became the first large-scale, grid-connected wave energy test site on the continental U.S. coastline this summer. Developers can now bring their wave-powered generators to the facility, test them in real ocean conditions, and deliver electricity directly to the local grid.

Oregon State University built the facility with nearly $150 million in federal funding since 2016. After years of development, the site finally connected to the electrical grid and opened for business.

The facility solves a major problem that has held back wave energy for decades. Before PacWave, developers had to navigate years of permitting just to test their devices in the ocean. Now they can simply show up and start testing, saving massive amounts of time and money.

"When you're developing this technology, ultimately you have to get to that stage of full-scale open water testing, connected to the grid," said Dan Hellin, PacWave's director. "That's the real bottleneck for the global industry."

Three types of wave energy devices can test at the site. Point absorbers work like floating buoys that bob up and down with the waves. Oscillating water columns use wave motion to push air through turbines. Attenuators are long floating devices that flex with the water, converting that movement into electricity.

The Bright Side: While no devices have arrived yet due to funding delays, the potential is enormous. Federal estimates suggest marine energy could power about 57 percent of U.S. electrical needs. Even capturing a small fraction of that potential would make a significant contribution to America's energy system.

Wave energy produces zero carbon emissions, unlike coal, oil, and natural gas that warm the planet. The technology also works around the clock, unlike solar panels that only generate power during daylight hours.

The facility received key approvals from federal energy officials, who see promise in ocean power for both civilian and military applications. Wave energy devices could power remote sensors, underwater vehicles, and forward military bases in coastal areas.

PacWave South joins a Navy-operated test site in Hawaii as the only grid-connected wave energy facilities in the nation. But Oregon's location on the continental grid makes it far more accessible for most developers.

The ocean's waves are ready to prove what they can do for America's clean energy future.