Connecting people to the power of the ocean.

 

PMEC is a consortium of universities focused on the responsible advancement of marine renewable energy by expanding scientific understanding, engaging stakeholders, and educating students.

Researchers from the University of Washington, Oregon State University, and University of Alaska Fairbanks work closely with marine energy technology developers, academic and National Laboratory researchers, coastal community members, ocean users, federal and state regulators, and other government officials to address key challenges in the sector and accelerate its emergence.

PMEC serves as an objective voice regarding the opportunities, capabilities, and effects of marine energy, including wave, tidal, riverine, and offshore wind resources.

 

 

Capabilities

Research & development, testing, and education

Our Work →

People

Students, staff and faculty across our three institutions

Meet PMEC →

PMEC News

Latest News & Research Highlights
PMEC to Provide Wave Data for Advanced Floating Offshore Wind Project
PMEC to Provide Wave Data for Advanced Floating Offshore Wind Project

PMEC and the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory are members of a consortium that was been awarded a $3.6 million grant from the U.S Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).

Thesis Series: Emma Cotter on Using Machine Learning to Measuring Environmental Interactions of Marine Energy Devices
Thesis Series: Emma Cotter on Using Machine Learning to Measuring Environmental Interactions of Marine Energy Devices

Emma Cotter's doctoral research used a cutting-edge instrumentation suite and machine learning to see how marine life interact with marine energy installations. Her work opens new avenues for ensuring the advancement of marine renewable energy doesn't come at the expense of marine ecosystems.

PMEC Highlighted at Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing
PMEC Highlighted at Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing

On September 11, 2019, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to begin consideration of Oregon Senator Ron Wyden’s Marine Energy R&D Act. Senator Wyden directly highlighted PMEC in his statements.

Governor Inslee Visits PMEC at University of Washington
Governor Inslee Visits PMEC at University of Washington

Washington Governor Jay Inslee and his staff joined a research team from PMEC and the University of Washington's Applied Physics Lab and Mechanical Engineering Department for a data collection trip on Lake Washington aboard the R/V Russell Davis Light research vessel.

KING 5: UW engineers test tidal energy turbines on Lake Washington
KING 5: UW engineers test tidal energy turbines on Lake Washington

KING 5, the NBC affiliate in Seattle/Tacoma, covered the testing of tidal and current energy turbines using the UW-APL R/V Light, which was specially outfitted for that purposed.

Geometry and Control Optimization: Lending Improved Understanding to Early Stage Design
Geometry and Control Optimization: Lending Improved Understanding to Early Stage Design
Turbines and Turbulence at UAF
Turbines and Turbulence at UAF

At the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, hydrokinetic energy is more than just a research topic, it is a possible solution to some pressing local challenges. There are more than two hundred remote villages in Alaska that currently depend on high-polluting diesel generators for power production.

UW-APL: Persistent Environmental Monitoring Near an Operational Wave Energy Converter
UW-APL: Persistent Environmental Monitoring Near an Operational Wave Energy Converter

6 months of high-tech marine monitoring using just the power of the Hawaiian waves. A new video from UW-APL explains this impressive accomplishment and interviews several of the PMEC/APL researchers involved in the project.

Environmental Monitor: Eyes Underwater Watching Aquatic Wildlife
Environmental Monitor: Eyes Underwater Watching Aquatic Wildlife

A story in the Environmental Monitor highlights PMEC’s Adaptable Monitoring Package (AMP) and Wave-powered Adaptable Monitoring Package (WAMP).

NPR Science Friday: Renewable Energy Makes Waves In Oregon
NPR Science Friday: Renewable Energy Makes Waves In Oregon

A segment on NPR’s popular Science Friday called “Renewable Energy Makes Waves In Oregon” features the PacWave project.

Projects

Latest Project Summaries
Comparing Torque-regulated and Speed-regulated Cross-flow Turbine Performance
Comparing Torque-regulated and Speed-regulated Cross-flow Turbine Performance

A series of experiments in the Alice C. Tyler flume at the University of Washington assessed performance of a cross-flow turbine under speed- or torque-regulated flow.

DAISY – Drifting Acoustic Instrumentation SYstem
DAISY – Drifting Acoustic Instrumentation SYstem

Sound produced by marine energy converters may be audible to marine life, but measuring these sounds is difficult. DAISYs are our answer: low-cost, accurate instrumentation specifically built for marine energy sites.

Non-linear Wave Energy Converter Control
Non-linear Wave Energy Converter Control

Because wave energy conditions are widely variable, a wave energy converter's (WEC) control system should ideally be able to instantaneously adjust to marine conditions to increase power capture and improve survivability. But non-linear WEC control approaches that integrate advanced logic and machine learning approaches need further development and testing to be viable for commercial use.

Optimizing Shared Mooring and Anchoring Strength for Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Arrays
Optimizing Shared Mooring and Anchoring Strength for Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Arrays

Floating offshore wind devices have great potential for energy generation in deep water. This PMEC project set out to optimize mooring and anchoring in an array of floating wind turbines by identifying which anchors in an array are most important to strengthen.

Implications of Biofouling on Cross-flow Turbines
Implications of Biofouling on Cross-flow Turbines

The team set out to evaluate changes in cross-flow turbine power output and structural loads at various stages of barnacle colonization on turbine blades.

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