West Coast Wave Energy Planning & Assessment Framework

Abstract

This work was funded by OWET as part of its efforts to support policy and regulatory framework development to advance the wave energy industry. During the development of the Management Approaches, Phased Development, Marine Spatial Planning, and Socioeconomics sections of the Framework, key gaps in the available information and data became apparent. This report provides a synopsis of those gaps, based on the project team’s experience and findings in its research, subject matter discussions, and engagement with stakeholders. Options to address some of the key data gaps are also provided in this report.5 The body of the report includes data gaps and options considered to be high priority (i.e., those that could provide measurable near-term benefit). A detailed review of data gaps and options for all the topic areas in the Socioeconomics section of the Framework is provided in Attachment A. It is important to note that these options are not explicit recommendations. Instead, they are intended to provide insight on future development of the Framework, as well as relevant research efforts, as appropriate.