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Large-scale wave energy systems reliable – could spur economic growth in the Pacific Northwest

Wave energy integration costs should compare favorably to other energy sources, Energy Central Jan 14 – Energy Weekly News A new analysis suggests that large-scale wave energy systems developed in the Pacific Northwest should be comparatively steady, dependable and able to be integrated into the overall energy grid at lower costs than some other forms of alternative energy, including wind power.

The findings, published in the journal Renewable Energy, confirm what scientists have expected – that wave energy will have fewer problems with variability than some energy sources and that by balancing wave energy production over a larger geographic area, the variability can be even further reduced……….

Another strength of wave energy, the study suggested, is that its short-term generation capacity can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy over a time scale ranging from minutes to hours, and with some accuracy even seasonally or annually.

The Pacific Northwest has some of the nation’s best wave energy resources, and as a result is home to the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy .

Wave energy in the region is expected to spur economic growth, help diversify the energy portfolio, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce transmission losses, the study noted,,,,,,,,,,,, http://www.energycentral.com/generationstorage/futureandalternativegeneration/news/en/34894133/Wave-energy-integration-costs-should-compare-favorably-to-other-energy-sources

January 16, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, USA