Abstract
In 2012, the location for the establishment of the grid-connected wave energy test site for the Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC) was announced to be off the coast of Newport, Oregon. This location sits near the existing PMEC off-grid test site, which lies off Yaquina Head. These two areas, the grid-connected South Energy Test Site (SETS) and the off-grid North Energy Test Site (NETS) create the first dedicated wave energy test facility in the Pacific Northwest. The Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) operates these facilities.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through a project management framework offered by the Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET) to help support the establishment and successful operation of the PMEC wave energy test facilities, has funded this study.
There are three primary aims of this study:
- examine the supply chain requirements for PMEC wave energy test facilities;
- evaluate the potential of the existing and foreseeable supply chain in Oregon to meet the identified needs; and
- outline strategies to fill any identified gaps and stimulate key enabling facilities or services.
The study has been undertaken by Aquatera Ltd, in collaboration with Orcades Marine Management Consultants Ltd (Orcades Marine), and Advanced Research Corporation (ARC). Aquatera and Orcades Marine are based in Orkney, Scotland and ARC are based in Newport, Oregon