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Oregon State University
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- Offer Profile
- The
Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) is a
DOE-funded partnership between Oregon State University and the
University of Washington.
- Oregon State University is responsible for wave energy research and development.
- University of Washington is responsble for tidal energy research and development.
- Both universities will collaborate on outreach activities and information dissemination.
Product Portfolio
About NNMREC
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Closing Key Gaps in Understanding through Partnerships
Oregon State University (OSU) and University of Washington (UW) are partnering to develop the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) with a full range of capabilities to support wave and tidal energy development for the United States. NNMREC activities are structured to close key gaps in understanding, inform regulatory and policy decisions, and facilitate wave energy conversion (WEC) device commercialization.
NNMREC's objectives are to:- Develop facilities to serve as an integrated, standardized test Center for U.S. and international developers of wave and tidal energy;
- Evaluate potential environmental, ecosystem, and human dimension impacts, focusing on the compatibility of marine energy technologies in areas with sensitive environments and existing users;
- Study and consult on device and array optimization for effective deployment of wave and tidal energy technologies;
- Improve forecasting of the wave energy resource; and
- Increase reliability and survivability of marine energy systems.
NNMREC objectives are met through testing, research, modeling, education and outreach at university facilities and in the field. NNMREC leverages marine energy expertise, facilities, and programs at both OSU and the UW. For example,- Wave efforts include the development of "mobile" test berths for full-scale wave device testing. Testing and evaluation are needed to identify best practices for maintenance and quality control of wave energy systems and refine wave energy power measurements.
- Tidal efforts also focus on the development of a "mobile" instrumentation packages for device and environmental monitoring. The packages leverage the expertise of industry partners to address the needs of all stakeholders in a cost-effective manner.
- Wave and tidal efforts evaluate environmental and ecosystem impacts through numerical models of devices operating in coastal and estuarine environments, validated by observational data from pilot testing. The focus is on the effects of large-scale deployment of this technology. Results are shared with local, state, and federal agencies to inform policy decisions and presented to stakeholders and the public through educational materials and workshops.
- Wave and tidal device and array optimization utilizes detailed numerical models calibrated against observational data from pilot tests. Models initially focus on individual devices and then scale up to arrays of devices for investigation of both near- and far-field dynamics.
- Wave energy forecasting is improved for offshore locations and extended to the near shore environment where wave energy devices will be deployed.
- Wave and tidal reliability and survivability is investigated and enhanced by the application of corrosion and bio-fouling resistant materials, including new structural composites.
Vision
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NNMREC has a full range of capabilities to support wave and tidal energy development for the United States. NNMREC is structured to:
- Close key gaps in understanding through the support of baseline studies, on-going monitoring, and setting the technical, ecological, and human dimensions standards for marine energy projects;
- Educate and mentor the next generation of marine energy-related scientists, engineers, and educators in the U.S;
- Facilitate device commercialization through development of standards for validation and evaluation of devices;
- Inform regulatory and policy decisions, and;
- Inform and engage industry, science, and the public.
Center Research Areas
- For tidal energy, The University of Washington's vision
is for a Center which bridges the existing gaps between developers,
regulators and researchers in order to accelerate responsible development of
in-stream power. In the short-term, the Center seeks to leverage its
existing work to help place bounds on uncertainties in discussions between
regulatory agencies and device developers. It also embraces the long-term
goal of advancing the basic science associated with the operation of
in-stream turbines in ecologically sensitive environments. The Center
combines field testing with numerical and laboratory modeling.
Tidal energy activities are structured around four key areas: Instrumentation for cost-effective characterization of sites and devices
Modeling and monitoring of environmental effects from tidal energy device operation
Optimization of arrays with respect to device orientation and placement
Improved reliability and survavibility of devices through use of advanced composites
Fundamentals of Tidal Energy
- At a basic level, the gravitational pull of the sun and the moon on the Earth's oceans produces a twice daily rise and fall in water depth at northern and southern latitudes (semi-diurnal tide). As the depth of the open ocean rises, water floods into estuaries and then, as the depth falls, ebbs back out. The relative declination between celestial bodies can also set up a once daily variation, such that successive high and low tides are not of the same strength (mixed, mainly semi-diurnal tide). In addition to these daily variations, there is a fortnightly variation dependent upon the relative alignment of the sun and the moon with the Earth. When their gravitational fields act in opposition, the amplitude of the tides and currents is weakest, and when they act in concert tides and currents are strongest. This cycle has a 14.8 day period, with weak tides referred to as 'neap tides' and strong tides as 'spring tides'. Finally, the relative separation between the earth, sun, and moon gives rise to a seasonal variation with the strongest annual tides occurring twice yearly around the equinoxes and weakest around the solstices. Therefore, the tides are both intermittent and variable.
Current NNMREC research at Oregon State University
Technology
Device and Array Optimization
- This project will improve our understanding of how WEC devices will move in the ocean, how a device and an array of devices will affect the ocean wave field, and the forces acting on a device as well as the power capture, variability and efficiency of the WEC. A modeling approach will be used to integrate these components and their feedback mechanisms.
Collaboration/Optimization with Marine Renewable and Other Renewable Sources
- Leverage the existing expertise and knowledge at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), techniques will be developed to synergistically accelerate the development and large-scale deployment of reliable, cost competitive hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies. Using experience developed for the wind industry, NREL will also develop marine hydrodynamic test protocols for marine energy.
Integrated and Standardized Test Facilities for U.S. and International Developers
- NNMREC will develop the Nation’s first Ocean Test Berth (OTB) off the coast of Newport, Oregon. The OTB will provide critical infrastructure required to test and validate WEC devices.
Increased Reliability and Survivability of Marine Power Technologies
- WEC devices must operate reliably and efficiently to be economically viable. The ocean environment is challenging for mechanical and electrical systems. WEC devices must survive high sea states. Marine bio-fouling can greatly reduce efficiency. NNMREC will research survivability strategies such as, slack moorings, mechanical lockup, and underwater immersion or reverse powered operation, depending on the specific device and the expected sea state. Anti-fouling research will be conducted to develop ecologically sensitive, technology suitable techniques for the protection of a general class of ocean energy devices requiring low maintenance.
Environment
Compatibility of Marine Technologies with Environment, Fisheries and other Marine Resources
- NNMREC will develop an environmental effects information center to collect and provide access to research and regulations on wave energy conducted worldwide. High priority research will be conducted ranging from site characterization to more detailed research needs. The focus will be on the key “receptors”, or ecosystem components affected by wave energy development, such as marine mammals, seabirds, benthic ecosystems, and fish and fisheries, and on wave energy-specific “stressors” (e.g., physical structure (cables, anchors, buoys, etc.), acoustic noise, electromagnetic effects) impact the key receptors.
Advanced Forecasting Technologies
- Wave forecasting technologies are being developed to enhance the integration of electricity from WEC devices into the electricity grid by providing predictions of the expected wave power at the wave facility. Wave/structure and electromechanical modeling of the WEC will be conducted to produce predictions of the expected power output from an array device.
Science and Knowledge Informing Policy and People: The Human Dimensions of Wave Energy Generation
- The Human Dimension of Wave Energy (HDWE) research program was created to provide the opportunity for a cadre of social scientists – professors and graduate students – to study this new use of the ocean space and place. The HDWE focuses on finding answers to a series of human dimension issues and questions: How is wave energy generation off of the Oregon coast being perceived in general? Who are the stakeholders and how are they engaged? Is this activity further defining differences in rural and urban perceptions of the coast and the direction of its economic and social development? Cumulatively how does the human dimension of the wave energy equation impact public perceptions, public policy and the successful adoption of wave energy technology along Oregon’s coast? Who’s responsible for planning and regulating this new use of the ocean? What should the processes be for permitting? What are all of the correct steps that should be followed? Six individual yet interrelated projects under four project areas coordinated their efforts to understand wave energy in terms of the political and regulatory process, and environmental, social and economic sustainability and acceptability.