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PRIMRE/Databases/Projects Database/Test Sites/PacWave South Test Site
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PacWave South Test Site
PacWave South is a pre-permitted, accredited, and grid-connected wave energy test facility that is being developed in partnership with the US Department of Energy, the State of Oregon, Oregon State University (OSU) and local stakeholders.
The open ocean test site will consist of four berths, which will occupy 2 nautical mi2 with a cable route to shore of approximately 12 mi in length. The location for PacWave South was selected through a public outreach process, including significant input from local fishermen. The project continues to have wide community support.
As PacWave South is pre-permitted for the majority of wave energy device types, clients will not have to undertake a costly and time-consuming permitting process prior to testing at the site. This will allow for more rapid optimization of designs. The site will accommodate up to 20 wave energy converters to be tested across 4 berths, with a maximum power output of 20 MW (each with a capacity of 5 MW).
In March 2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Oregon State University a license to build and operate the PacWave South test facility. This was the culmination of an unprecedented regulatory process that spanned nearly 10 years. Construction of PacWave South is currently underway, and the site should be operational by 2023, with grid-connected testing in 2024.
Additional Information
Device Status
Is the test site actively testing or in planning (active)? Or is it permanently closed for business (inactive)?
Active
Energy Resource
- Wave
Duration
June 2021 -
Ongoing
Max Load Capacity
The maximum amount of electricity that can be accommodated at the test site, based on cable capacity.
20 MW
Grid Connectivity
Grid Connected
Number of Berths
4
Waterbody
Pacific Ocean, Oregon, United States
Site Characteristics
Geographic characterization for the test site location:
- Open Ocean: Main body of ocean, not enclosed or partially enclosed by land
- Coastal: Open water near the coast, spanning between land and shelf boundary
- Enclosed Bay: water that is partially surrounded by land, with a mouth open to larger water
- Constricted Channel: A channel where water flows quickly due to narrowing by the land
- River: Water flowing from land towards a larger body of water
Open Ocean
Country
United States
Environmental Details
Last Modified
1 April 2025
Citation Formats
“PacWave South Test Site.” Marine Energy Projects Database: Test Sites, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Test_Sites/PacWave_South_Test_Site. Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.
Marine Energy Projects Database: Test Sites. <year>. "PacWave South Test Site." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Test_Sites/PacWave_South_Test_Site.
