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Interested in developing a new, clean source of energy from the sea?

We want you!!!

Graduate research at Oregon State University

http://tinyurl.com/2bo3zsv http://tinyurl.com/23wuxnr

http://tinyurl.com/27spx3k

Steve Meicke – Hokie Alumni 11/30/2010

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A little about Oregon State University

Pretty much a west-coast Blacksburg – 23 k students, small town, lots of pubs

1 hour from the coast, 1.5 hours from Portland, 1.5 hours from the Cascade Mtns

Most bike friendly city in the US, train link South toward Eugene and North to Portland / Seattle

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Wave energy – how does it work?

Wind from distant storms creates large, powerful waves

Large amounts of extractable power propagate towards shore

• More predictable, less variability

when compared to wind

Wave energy converters (WECs) capture the energy, and send it to shore

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Aquamarine Oyster – a working WEC example

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Common WEC architectures

Hybrid wind and wave offshore platform - http://www.floatingpowerplant.com/

http://www.oceanpowertechnologies.comOSU’s first wave energy concept

http://www.pelamiswave.com/

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Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC)

Partnership between OSU (wave energy), UW (tidal energy) and NREL

Hinsdale Wave Lab – 3-D tsunami basin, 104 m long 2-D wave flume

Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR

OSU’s Hinsdale Wave Tank

Hatfield MSC - Newport, ORhttp://nnmrec.oregonstate.edu/

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My research – a little snippet of the story

Columbia Power Technologies to deploy a 1:7 scale buoy soon, near Seattle, Washington

www.columbiapwr.com

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My research compares actual wave energy buoy strain to strains predicted by simulations

AWAC – Wave climate sensor

AQWA – Hydrodynamic loading, pressures, etc.

ANSYS ASAS – Finite Element Method using AQWA output

Simulation strain time historyREAL SEA CPT 1:7 scale buoy strain time history

Occ

urre

nces

(#/h

r)

Strain range

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…the point: we need motivated grad students

The ocean presents extreme design challenges

Wave energy is at a crossroads – much to be done!

We have funding, and our research is world renowned

Cost (for me): Tuition = free, they pay me $1700 / month

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We’re looking for graduate students in:

Engineering:Mechanical Engineering Ocean EngineeringChemical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringComputer Science / Controls

Environmental / Ecological

Assessment:BiologyOther majorsCoastal processes

Social / Human Dimensions:Sociology

Too many topics to cover! Ask me, or look at NNMREC’s website for detailed descriptions!!!!

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We offer a unique opportunity to be on the ground floor of an important new source of renewable energy

Our students are highly sought after in the job market – there’s only going to be more growth!

My research is interesting, cutting edge, and helping to promote renewable energy

I am available any time to give you more information – please contact me!!!!

Contact information on next slide

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THANK YOU!

Steve MeickeGraduate Researcher - OSU Wave Energy Group School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering Oregon State UniversityEmail: smeicke@vt.edu, meickes@onid.orst.eduCell: (540) 470-0590Office: (541) 737-8784