The University of Washington is responsible for tidal energy research and Oregon State University is concerned with wave energy research. These two institutions are doing research that looks at the potential of installing wave energy on the West coast and some of the possible consequences of doing so.  Some key issues are: how the devices that gather wave/tidal energy will affect the distribution of sediment, how they will affect h actual pattern of currents, how they will affect the fauna, especially mammals and sea animals that depend on magnetic fields for navigation, how they will affect the food chain, and how to deal with he reduced efficiency that comes with accumulated bio fouling.

Organization Type: Government organization (partnership between the University of Washington and Oregon State University funded by the DOE)