There are a number of renewable energy technologies currently revolving around the world’s oceans and seas. Tidal energy is coming into the mainstream as a consistent alternative to wind and solar energy. Another untapped market for renewable energy lies in wave energy.

In the United States small companies have tested units but there has yet to be a commercial wave energy test in the U.S. until now. The government-approved wave energy device was designed by Ocean Power Technologies and is set to be placed off the coast of Oregon.

The federal government recently granted the ability to place the device off the coast of central Oregon. The government permit allows for up to 10 generators overall. The wave-energy device to be tested is 103 feet in length and weighs approximately 260 tons. All in all, the device is likely to be able to generate enough energy to power 1,000 homes.

The device will be the official first commercial wave energy device tested and connected to the grid.

Coastal mapping is currently taking place to determine best locations for wave energy along Oregon’s coastline. Therefore if this endeavor proves successful the state of Oregon will already know prime location, thus bringing in more investors and larger companies to further the wave energy field.