Scientists Try to
Harness Wave Energy
August 26, 2005 — By Associated Press
GARDINER, Ore. — As the price of a
barrel of oil continues to surge, scientists are turning to the ocean as
a possible source of alternative energy.
The potential for harnessing the power of waves has drawn serious study
by Oregon State University, federal and state agencies, and communities
along the Oregon Coast.
"There's a real good chance that Oregon could turn into kind of the
focal point in the United States for wave energy development and I think
that would be a boon to the economy," said Gary Cockrum, spokesman for
the Central Lincoln People's Utility District.
Groups hoping to begin work on experimental technology are considering
the International Paper mill site in Gardiner.
"We have a lot of momentum going for it, I think, but we still have to
work out lot of details," said Alan Wallace, Oregon State University
professor of electrical engineering.
The plan is to take over the site to make it a showcase for a "renewable
ocean extraction system," he said.
Last Friday at the Port of Umpqua office in Reedsport, officials from
Oregon Department of Energy, Oregon State University, Electrical Power
Research Institute and other federal and state officials gathered to
explain the fledgling project to more than 100 southern Oregon Coast
residents.
"There is tremendous potential in the oceans to supply energy for the
world," Annette von Jouanne, an Oregon State electrical engineering
professor told the crowd. "A 10-square-mile wave power plant could
supply the entire state of Oregon."
The electric institute and the Bonneville Power Administration
identified the Gardiner site as the ideal place for the project in their
feasibility study.
The former mill has an outflow pipe already in place -- a structure that
could reduce the cost of building a power plant. Electricity from the
Gardiner site could be transmitted to other stations up and down the
coast.
Money is the biggest obstacle. It will take about $5 million to complete
the project's initial phases. But the recently passed federal energy
bill could reduce much of that burden.
U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., who is visiting the southern Coast this
week, called the project "intriguing." He added: "I would definitely be
supportive."
At first, he was skeptical that a system could function along the
Pacific Northwest Coast, famous for its rough seas. But he said he's
seen a similar system operate successfully off the coast of Scotland.
How much energy could be generated from the water is still unclear, but
those involved with the project say the possibilities could be
limitless.
"I read something involved with this that said if 0.2 percent of the
ocean's energy were harnessed, it could produce enough energy to power
the entire world," added Cockrum, the utility district spokesman.
Source: Associated Press |