Finavera Gains Permit in Oregon to Study Wave Energy

Renewable Energy Access ^ | 4/30/2007

[Uncledave]

Finavera Gains Permit in Oregon to Study Wave Energy Vancouver, Canada

For Oregon's proposed 100-MW Coos County wave energy project, Finavera Renewables can now proceed with analyses of oceanographic conditions, commercial and recreational activities, and other impacts potentially associated with the planned project after receiving preliminary permit approval by the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

These preliminary site specifications will be subject to several studies as part of a feasibility assessment, including oceanographic conditions, marine biological resources, marine mammal resources, commercial and recreational activities, noise, public safety, visual impacts, and fishing, crabbing and other marine uses.

The proposed Coos County project would use interconnected clusters of the company's patented AquaBuOY wave energy devices. The project would have a generating capacity of 100 MW; the total annual generation from the project is estimated to be approximately 175 gigawatt-hours per year.

"The Coos County project is part of the next step along our path to the commercialization of wave energy," said Alla Weinstein, Director and General Manager, Ocean Energy. "Permitting activities for this project will be based on our experience gained in the Makah Bay pilot project, which is the first wave energy project to file for a FERC operating license."

[Uncledave]

From Finavera's web site:

Click here for an animation of how Finavera's AquaBuOy works

AquaBuOY's Survivability AquaBuOY Array

Any offshore system must survive the harsh ocean environment – our buoy-array system would consist of small modular devices that are similar to navigational buoys that have been known to survive for many decades. Safely positioned offshore, AquaBuOYs are being designed for 100 year storms by riding atop the extreme waves at sea, rather than experiencing catastrophic damage, as during tsunami, from the breaking waves onshore. AquaBuOYs would be moored with advanced anchoring and mooring technology.

Maximized Power Output

AquaBuOYs are designed to maximize power output during more typical, moderate wave conditions on an annual basis vs. extreme wave intensities that occur less frequently during storms. This avoids costly over-design that only captures extreme spikes in storm-based wave intensities.

Because the systems are modular, scalability to meet growing power demand is easily accomplished. Additionally, this modularity provides a more consistent flow of power during maintenance cycles. The simplicity of the AquaBuOY system makes it an ideal choice for sourcing local suppliers, construction, and maintenance. Most components are readily available from in-country suppliers and the job skills required for fabrication and maintenance are present in most coastal communities.

AquaBuOY’s components have been ocean tested by the original developers and by the offshore oil industry. Our maintenance and replacement cycles are being designed to extend the life of the system to beyond twenty years.

[Uncledave]

Oregon ping

[Freeport]

Interesting concept. Looks like we’ll see if this works out if they’ve got the ok to try in Oregon.

[DManA]

Any offshore system must survive the harsh ocean environment Why not try a prototype in the nice clean salt free Great Lakes?

[hunter112]

Sounds great, until the eco-nuts try to ban it on the basis that it ‘disturbs’ some worthless sea anemones, or some such drivel.

[Salvation]

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