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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Newport, Oregon, will host the U.S.’s first large-scale wave energy project, PacWave, with the potential to generate 20 megawatts of energy, powering thousands of homes
• Backed by $100 million, including Energy Department funding, the project aims to advance marine energy technology and close the gap with Europe
• The project has secured support from the fishing community, despite some economic trade-offs
🔭 The context: Wave energy offers a constant renewable power source, unlike solar and wind, and has minimal visibility or environmental disruption compared to offshore wind
• The PacWave site will serve as a testing ground for various wave energy converter designs to assess their efficiency, durability, and environmental impacts
• This innovation could help the U.S. transition from fossil fuels while preserving marine ecosystems and fishing livelihoods
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Marine energy has the potential to harness a third of the U.S.’s coastal wave power, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels
• By diversifying renewable energy sources, projects like PacWave can support a more resilient and sustainable energy grid
⏭️ What's next: Testing of wave energy converters at PacWave will begin in 2025, with results informing future commercial projects
• Federal support and technological advancements are crucial to overcoming cost and permitting challenges
• Success at PacWave could unlock scalable wave energy solutions, especially for remote communities dependent on diesel fuel
💬 One quote: “We’ve got to start testing some of this stuff out and see what works and what doesn’t,” - Matthew Grosso, Energy Department’s water power technologies director
📈 One stat: The Biden administration has committed $112.5 million to wave energy development, marking the largest federal investment in marine energy
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