PacWave

PacWave is an open-ocean wave energy testing facility developed by Oregon State University (OSU) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the State of Oregon. Located approximately seven miles off the coast of Newport, Oregon, PacWave provides a grid-connected environment for testing utility-scale wave energy converters (WECs). The facility comprises two sites, including PacWave South, which features four offshore test berths connected to an onshore Utility Connection and Monitoring Facility via subsea cables. PacWave supports the development and evaluation of innovative wave energy systems, aiming to advance marine energy technologies toward commercial readiness by enabling prolonged real-world testing to demonstrate technical viability and explore cost reduction methods. The project represents a significant step in harnessing ocean wave energy as a renewable resource, contributing to the diversification of the United States' energy portfolio.