Constraints on power supply pose a significant challenge in enabling cost-effective big data in the ocean. Leveraging ocean energy solutions could alleviate some of these constraints. How can we leverage small-scale applications of marine energy to meet the needs of ocean observation? This is one of the challenges that the US Dept. of Energy proposes under their "Powering the Blue Economy" Initiative.
UMERC has identified a knowledge gap between marine energy developers and potential end users in this field: there have not been many dialogues between energy developers and oceanographers / instrument engineers. Because small-scale ocean energy is an emerging sector, creating space for this dialogue will ensure it grows according to real ocean observation needs.
During this workshop, marine energy developers will update oceanographers on new power technology development and discuss how they can support big data in the ocean. Oceanographers / instrument engineers will explain common instrument power requirements and form factors to the MHK developers. We hope this workshop will be a first step in a series of conversations between the two communities.
Speakers include:
Ocean Energy Developers:
Robert Cavagnaro, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Trent Dillion, University of Washington
Tim Mundon, Oscilla Power
Oceanographers/End Users:
Dale Stokes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Jon Fram, Oregon State University/Ocean Observatories Initiative
Charles Lee, University of Waikato
Luc Lenain, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Kenneth Voss, University of Miami
Shawn Hinz / Brock Rosenthal, Deep Pacific Consortium