Conclusions & References (Wave Power)

Conclusions

Ocean wave energy could represent a real opportunity for select coastal locations in Alaska; however, there are numerous environmental and technical challenges associated with this technology. For example, there are concerns related to interactions between ocean energy devices and marine mammals and both adult and juvenile fish. Most coastal communities with wave energy resources are heavily dependent on local subsistence and commercial fisheries. Additional concerns are related to ice interaction with infrastructure, debris that could damage devices, navigation hazards, and impacts on marine life.

While construction and operation of ocean wave energy devices is not considered near-term for Alaska, it has the potential to meet small-scale energy requirements for remote coastal communities. Feasibility studies like those done for in-stream hydrokinetic energy generation will be needed to provide a better understanding of the potential for and challenges of ocean wave energy generation.



References

Bedard, R., Oregon offshore wave power demonstration project: Bridging the gap between the completed phase 1 project definition study and the next phase - phase 2 detailed design and permitting. 2005, EPRI.

Bedard, R., et al., Final summary report: Project definition study offshore wave power feasibility demonstration project. 2005, Electric Power Research Institute Inc. pp.34.

Bedard, R., HydroKinetic energy “lay of the land”. in Department of Energy HydroKinetic Workshop. 2005: Dept. of Energy.

Bedard, R., et al. North American ocean energy status - March 2007 in 7th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference. 2007. 11—14 Sept. 2007, Porto, Portugal: DigitalPapers Org.

Bedard, R., Overview of U.S. ocean wave and current energy: Resource, technology, environmental, and business issues and barriers. 2007, Electric Power Research Institute. pp.60.

Comission, E., Ocean energy conversion in Europe: Recent advancements and prospects. 2006, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources: Pikermi, Greece. pp.36.

EPRI, Primer: Power from ocean waves and tides. 2007, Electric Power Research Institute: Palo Alto, CA. pp.6.

FERC, Licensing hydrokinetic pilot projects. 2008, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. pp.33.

MMS, Technology white paper on wave energy potential on the U.S. outer continental shelf. 2006, Minerals Management Service. pp.11.

NOAA. Ecological effects of wave energy development in the Pacific Northwest in Ecological effects of wave energy development in the Pacific Northwest: A scientific workshop, Oct. 11 - 12, 2007.

Robinson, M.C., Renewable energy technologies for use on the outer continental shelf. 2006, National Renewable Energy Laboratory. pp.34.

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