There is incredible opportunity for Oregon to emerge as a world leader in the production of renewable ocean wave energy, growing and attracting businesses and jobs and spurring clean energy investment. As such, the Oregon legislature has developed the Wave Energy Initiative for research and development of this new and emerging industry, launched the Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET) and worked closely with Oregon State University in developing the nation’s first Wave Energy Center. OWET has received the first part of its $4.2 million budget approved by the 2007 state legislature, and is moving ahead with plans and activities to make Oregon a global leader in this emerging industry. "The state's investment is aimed at addressing the challenges facing the industry, which include education and outreach, understanding potential environmental effects, responding to existing use conflicts, research and development, and state-wide planning," said OWET's former acting Director Justin Klure. "The top priorities are determining potential ecological effects and working with existing ocean users to develop a plan to share the use of the ocean." The Trust has funded a whale migration study, ecological impact workshop and community outreach. In the future, they are finding means of streamlining permitting, securing funding and increasing technology development. Wave energy technologies and applied research and development activities will be supported at OSU, as they seek to develop a National Wave Energy Center and test new wave energy devices. (See http://www.oregonwave.org/inde.php/wave-energ/12-wave-energy.html) Solar Solar energy is Oregon’s largest renewable energy resource (ODOE Energy Plan 07-09). Northwestern Oregon receives roughly the same solar resources as the national average and that of Europe. The eastern and southern parts of Oregon receive roughly the same annual solar resource as that of northern Florida. There are three primary means by which solar energy is harvested in Oregon: as direct light into buildings for light and heat; to heat water using roof-mounted collectors; and to convert sunlight to electricity using photovoltaic panels. Each solar harvesting approach is unique with its own technology and market constraints. The life-cycle cost can be lower than conventional energy sources if solar is installed when the building is constructed. Passive solar, which includes using solar directly in buildings for lighting, heating and cooling can improve occupant comfort and reduce energy needs by up to 40 percent. Solar water heating has gained momentum in Oregon. Residents have installed more than 17,600 solar water heating systems in the last 25 years. Solar photovoltaic (PV) electric systems are virtually maintenance free, have warranties in excess of 25 years and can directly interface with the utility grid. The world market for solar electric power is doubling every 24 months. With each doubling, the manufacturing cost has fallen by 18-22 percent. (ODOE, Energy Plan 07-09) In addition to supporting market developments, Oregon has recently been able to attract large manufacturers of solar photovoltaic technology including Solar World, Solaicx, PV Powered, Peak Sun Silicon, Mr. Sun Solar and, most recently, the announcement of proposed Intel spin-off SpectraWatt Inc. Solar World’s Hillsboro plant is largest solar cell production facility, in terms of MW produced, in the USA. Wind Wind-generated electricity is becoming increasingly cost competitive with conventional fossil fuel
An Inventory of Renewable and Efficient Energy in Oregon
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