Wave Power

Oceans offer a vast, untapped source of clean, renewable energy. Experts estimate that 0.2 percent of the ocean’s energy could power the entire world.

In recent studies, Oregon State University has created three prototypes of devices that could be used to harness wave energy. One of the most promising involves a buoy inside which an electric coil surrounds a magnetic shaft.

While the coil is secured directly to the buoy, the magnetic shaft is anchored to the sea floor. Waves cause the coil to move up and down on the fixed magnetic shaft, generating electricity.

The research team pictures an array of buoys, or “wave park,” placed one or two miles offshore in about 100 feet of water, making it virtually impossible to see from land. OSU has collaborated with wave energy company Columbia Power Technologies to develop wave power technologies. The Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) is a Department of Energy-funded partnership between Oregon State University and the University of Washington. NNMREC was awarded $6.25 million in competitive DOE funds over five years. In addition, NNMREC received $2.33 million through the FY2009 Energy and Water Appropriations bill to build the first mobile test berth which will be available to device manufactures for testing wave energy buoys.