North Carolina renewable Ocean Energy Program
Who We Are
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University.
NCROEP Mission
Use renewable ocean energy wisely to effectively and economically power North Carolina’s Blue Economy and in the process create jobs and economic opportunities.
NCROEP Vision
North Carolina is a recognized leader in marine renewable energy design, development, and deployment solutions.
Strategic Priorities
NCROEP aims to:
- Advance interdisciplinary research & collaboration to bring new ocean energy technologies to clean energy market.
- Promote testing & validation to improve efficiency, reliability, & reduce the operation and maintenance costs of ocean energy solutions.
- Inspire innovation, stewardship, and Blue Economy development through public & academic engagement.
- Lead holistic environmental assessments for the development of regulatory guidelines for responsible ocean energy advancement.
Current Research & Projects
NCROEP is currently funding 18 inter-disciplinary marine energy research projects across partner institutions, as well as ongoing marine energy resource and environmental assessments. NCROEP researchers are leading advanced research efforts in over $5.3 million in externally funded marine energy projects.
In preparation for the final DRINK stage, the Waves to Water team successfully deployed a test article that was anchored off of Jennette’s Pier for five days in April 2021.
CSI & NCROEP are also partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for two multi-year projects.
Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP): Since 2020, CSI has been serving as one of six Community-Based Partners in advancing resilient, clean energy solutions for islands and remote communities.
American-Made Waves to Water Prize: CSI is a DOE partner in supporting the $2.5M contest to accelerate the development of small, modular, wave-powered desalination systems capable of providing potable drinking water in disaster relief scenarios and remote coastal locations. The final DRINK phase will be hosted at the NCROEP testing platform at Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head, NC in the spring of 2022.
Atlantic Marine Energy Center (AMEC): The Atlantic Marine Energy Center is a university-led consortium (UNH, CSI, ECU, Stonybrook and Lehigh University) designed to address the ongoing needs for research and development and testing to advance marine renewable energy technolgies towards commercialization and to develop solutions to power the blue economy.
Leadership
Director
Associate Director
Technical Advisory Board
Richard Mercier, Director Texas A&M Offshore Technology Research Center
Jonathan Colby, Founder and President, Streamwise Development, LLC
John Hardin, Executive Director, NC Department of Commerce, Office of Science, Technology, & Innovation
Hank Lobe, Director, Severn Marine Technologies
Tim Mundon, Chief Engineer, Oscilla Power, Inc
Matthew Boys, Senior Financial Analyst, Dominion Energy
Local Testing Capabilities
Recent Accomplishments & NCROEP News
- Lindsay Dubbs (NCROEP Associate Director) selected as U.S. Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Initiative – 2020 Clean Energy Education Award Winner.
- Chelsea Wilson (NC A&T, NCROEP Researcher) selected as 2020 C3E Poster Award winner for research on Development of a Novel Oscillating Water Column Using Computational and Experimental Methods
- NC A&T NCROEP Researcher team selected as 2020 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition “Rising Star” Award.
It’s Time To Make a Splash! Waves To Water Prize Deployments Start April 3
The Waves to Water Prize finalists have arrived on the Outer Banks with their wave-powered water makers, and the wait to dive in is finally over. That’s right, the DRINK Finale is here! The devices will be deployed at Jennette’s Pier tomorrow, Sunday, April 3, where...
Waves to Water Prize Wave Energy Device Viewing- You’re Invited!
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to create a renewable energy device that creates clean drinking water, now’s your chance to find out! As a partner and final DRINK stage host of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Waves to Water Prize, the Coastal Studies...
The Final Countdown to the Waves to Water Prize Drink Stage Finale Is On!
It’s the final countdown. Showtime. The home stretch. The finish line is near. However you’d like to phrase it, the Waves to Water Prize DRINK Finale is just around the corner. In just one month, the remaining four teams will arrive in the Outer Banks to put their...
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Click on the links below for more information.
ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement. ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.
The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
