Wave energy testing site opens off Oregon, a green energy milestone in the Trump administration
- The first large wave energy testing site in continental U.S., called PacWave South off the Oregon coast, has opened after receiving federal approval from the Trump administration.
- The site was developed by Oregon State University and received Department of Energy approval last summer, with grid connection completed this summer.
- No wave energy devices have yet arrived at the facility to generate electricity, as developers face delays in federal funding.
- The Department of Energy has invested nearly $150 million since 2016 in the facility's siting and construction costs.
- Wave energy has potential to power approximately 57% of U.S. electrical needs according to federal estimates, and the Trump administration views it as a national security asset unlike offshore wind.
- The pre-permitted site allows developers to test multiple types of wave energy converters without acquiring individual permits, streamlining the testing and permitting process.
The first large-scale wave energy testing facility in continental U.S., PacWave South, has opened off the Oregon coast near Newport after securing federal approval from the Trump administration. Developed by Oregon State University, the site received Department of Energy approval last summer and connected to the grid this summer. However, no wave energy devices have yet arrived to generate electricity, as developers face delays in federal funding.
The Department of Energy has invested nearly $150 million since 2016 in the facility's siting and construction. The site is pre-permitted, allowing developers to test multiple types of wave energy converters without acquiring individual permits, which streamlines the testing and permitting process that has historically delayed marine energy development.
The Trump administration's support for wave energy contrasts with its opposition to offshore wind development. Officials characterize wave energy technologies as national security assets with potential applications in remote sensors, autonomous underwater vehicles, and military base power resiliency. Federal estimates indicate wave energy has the potential to power approximately 57% of U.S. electrical needs, though capturing even a small portion would significantly contribute to the nation's energy system.
波浪能测试基地在俄勒冈州开放，特朗普政府的绿色能源里程碑
美国大陆首个大型波浪能测试设施PacWave South已在俄勒冈州纽波特海岸开放，获得特朗普政府的联邦批准。该设施由俄勒冈州立大学开发，去年夏季获得能源部批准，今年夏季完成并网。但由于开发商面临联邦资金延迟，尚无波浪能装置到达该设施发电。
能源部自2016年以来已投入近1.5亿美元用于该设施的选址和建设。该设施获得预先许可，允许开发商测试多种类型的波浪能转换器，无需获得单独许可，简化了长期以来延缓海洋能源发展的测试和许可流程。
特朗普政府对波浪能的支持与其反对海上风电的立场形成对比。官员们将波浪能技术描述为具有国家安全资产，在遥感器、自主水下航行器和军事基地电力恢复力等方面具有潜在应用。联邦估计表明波浪能有潜力为美国电力需求的约57%供电，即使仅捕获其中一小部分也将对国家能源系统做出重大贡献。