Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract

Marine Energy Potential Oregon has been identified as an ideal location for wave energy conversion based primarily on its wave resource and coastline transmission capacity. According to a 2011 study by the Electric Policy Research Institute, Oregon’s total annual available wave energy in the inner shelf alone is equal to 143 terawatt-hours per year (TWh/yr), or 143 billion kilowatt-hours per year (KWh/yr) which is enough energy to power 28 million homes. State laws, such as our Renewable Portfolio Standard, recognize ocean energy as an eligible resource and as a part of Oregon's community-scale renewable energy future. In 2007, the Oregon Innovation Council (OIC) selected wave energy as an economic innovation focus. As a result of funding from the OIC, the Oregon Wave Energy Trust, a nonprofit, public-private partnership was established with the goal of responsible development of wave energy projects in Oregon.