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.
Larry Morris is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist in Portland, Oregon. He specializes in USDA Guaranteed Rural Home Loans, FHA Purchase and Refinance, FHA 203k Rehab loans, FannieMae HomePath loans, Oregon VA Loans and conforming purchase and refinances in the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
He can be reached at 503-421-0096.
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!
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.
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!