Aug 15 Marine Renewable Energy Seminar

Olympic Natural Resources Center, Forks WA    (view map)

Agenda

6:30 – Doors open. Come early for the ‘Touch Tank’!

7:00 – An Introduction to Marine Renewable Energy  Presenter – Hannah Ross

Marine renewable energy refers to the conversion of naturally-occurring power in oceans and rivers to forms appropriate for human use, such as electricity. This talk presents an overview of the technologies that make up marine renewable energy and highlights some of the ongoing research in the field. 

7:30 – Environmental Impacts of Marine Renewable Energy  Presenter – Molly Grear

As we install new technology in the ocean, we must consider how these devices will impact the ocean environment and the creatures that live in sea. This talk will focus on current research in managing and mitigating the environmental concerns around these devices, as well as which environmental concerns have been addressed to date. 

8:00 – Emerging Markets/Small Scale Applications  Presenter – Brian Polagye

While marine energy is often viewed as just one of many options for supplying renewable energy to the national electric grid, there are other emerging markets where it may play a unique role. This talk will explore the potential benefits and challenges of marine energy in situations ranging from remote villages to far-flung charging stations for underwater robots.

8:30 – Facilitated Q&A

Presenter Bios

Hannah Ross is a PhD student at the University of Washington in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Her research focuses on understanding the interactions between current turbines and confined flows to better predict turbine performance, improve resource assessments, and inform environmental impact studies.

Molly Grear is a PhD student at the University of Washington in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. Her research focuses on how marine mammals may be impacted by installing marine renewable energy.

Brian Polagye is the co-Director of the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center and an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington. His research focuses on marine energy systems, seeking to simultaneously reduce their cost and environmental footprint.