An alternative path could be found at this years Global Marine
Renewable Energy Conference where I had the privilege of presenting
modeling and simulation work I had been developing over the last six
months. The conference included researchers and industry
representatives from all over the world. Meeting others outside of
your typical day to day experience, who share your interest and
passion for getting the marine energy business off the ground,
affords you the chance to gain some valuable perspective. From
scientists and engineers, to ecologists and policy advisers, to
developers and regulators, there was an eclectic mix of individuals
all focused on the same overarching goal: how do we take this
industry to the next level?

My contribution was to present my research in the hopes of expanding
everyone’s knowledge. And the reverse was also true. I was able to
tap into other people’s ideas adding to and expanding my knowledge of
the industry. I was able to see the problems regulators and
developers face, and how those problems might be resolved. I saw
turbine developers and research engineers battling it out over the
validity of results. At the end of the day, everyone was able to
learn something from each other and move the industry forward.

When the conference ended for the night we hopped on bikes and
cruised around the sprawling metropolis of our nation’s capital. The
Air and Space Museum, National Gallery, and Library of Congress all
afforded incredible opportunities to marvel at what we as a people
are capable of accomplishing. This capability gives me great hope for
the marine energy industry, as we take it to the next level.

Harnessing Wave Power through a Winning University-Industry Partnership

At Oregon State University’s O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory, a small yellow buoy with several bright red lights bobs up and down in the mechanically created waves. Although it may not look like much to the casual observer, the apparatus is a test model for a next-generation device intended to capture energy from the continual movement of the ocean. Rigorous testing of this model is necessary before researchers begin assessing much larger units off the Oregon Coast.

The new wave-power technology was made possible by a unique partnership between Oregon State University and Columbia Power Technologies. “Columbia Power Technologies is an example of a long-term partnership where the company has advanced their technologies through work with OSU,” said Belinda

Batten, director of the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC). “It has licensed some of Oregon State’s intellectual property and several students have graduated and gone on into this industry. That, for us is a real success.”

From a broad perspective of economic development, university-industry partnerships make good sense, but collaborating with academia is a new concept for most companies. The Oregon State–Columbia Power partnership provides a case study that illuminates the benefits when industry and academia join forces.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY.

“I am extremely proud of Oregon State University for not only securing PMEC in Newport, but also for their efforts to involve all public and private stakeholders throughout the entire process,” Rep. Schrader said. “Without the participation of all parties involved this would not have been possible. The construction of this site will draw global attention to Oregon, further our reputation as pioneers in the alternative energy industry and bring jobs and economic development throughout our coastal communities.”

CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL RELEASE

Congressman Schrader speaks about Newport and PMEC

The Pacific Marine Energy Center, or PMEC, will test energy generation potential and environmental impacts of wave energy devices, at an ocean site about five miles from shore. Subsea cables will transmit energy from the wave energy devices to the local power grid, and data to scientists and engineers at on-shore facilities.

(Editor’s Note: Kaety Hildenbrand works with the commercial fishing industry, ocean users, researchers, and the marine energy industry to address a variety of ocean issues ranging from collaborative research to wave energy development. She plays a critical role with NNMREC outreach and engagement.)

I have been attempting to write this blog post for the past week. Writing about stakeholder outreach and engagement in marine renewable energy should be easy enough; it’s what I do for a living. But, my mind is elsewhere, it’s with Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fleet.

As I am writing this, we are in the first hours of the 2012 commercial Dungeness crab season. Statistically this is the most profitable time for the fleet, and the most dangerous. At this very moment, many vessels are stuck in the ocean as the Yaquina Bay bar is too dangerous to cross. One vessel lost its wheelhouse windows trying to get in. Luckily it was only the windows that didn’t make it; the crew and vessel are home safe. My phone is three inches from my keyboard, waiting for the call that the bar has improved and that our vessels are making it in, or for the other kind of call, the ones I hate, the one that means someone isn’t coming home. I get at least one of those a year. It’s the one part of working with fishermen that I hate.

There are different ways of working with stakeholders, but if you do it right, you too will be lamenting with worry  over whatever it is the people you build a relationship with face. This is the real truth of working with ocean stakeholders, the piece that you never see in a publication on “working with stakeholders”, which is why I am deciding to leave the above piece in.

Oregon Fisherman (Photo by Oregon Sea Grant/Pat Kight)

There are all kinds of methods and best practices on the subject, I’ve even put my two cents in on some of those pieces, but what it really comes down to is a connection, a trust, a relationship. I can name fishermen in each port that I have worked with on wave energy issues. But, that isn’t what’s important, not really. What’s important is that I can tell you their wife’s name, how many kids they have, the name of their dog, I can describe the inside of their vessels, tell you what kind of truck they drive, and what kind of drink they order at Starbucks. They could do the same for me. I didn’t need to know any of this, I wasn’t asked to find it out, and I didn’t do it to gain something. It’s part of building a true relationship with someone, its part of doing what’s right, its part of what happens when you focus on building trust and not getting buy-in. I work with some people who hate the idea of marine renewable energy, but I still have a relationship with them. They’ll pester me with negative perspective for the duration of our time together, and then give me a hug before I leave. Just thinking of those times and people makes me smile. They mark the path of doing what’s right. Of focusing on people, not problems, of working with those that agree and those that do not. The fishermen on their boats right now, risking their lives to bring us crab, are partners, collaborators, and friends. Part of an intricate tapestry of people, culture, and lives that have become NNMREC’s story.

I have had 8 years of this work and I can honestly say I have enjoyed every minute of it – well almost. There are many memories burned into a deep place in my brain and heart. I’ll never forget watching the Fishermen Involved in Natural Energy (FINE) committee draw on a NOAA chart with a Sharpie pen, the space which would eventually become NNMREC’s open ocean test berth.  A big step for NNMREC, OSU, Oregon, and the nation took place that day, at a table filled with fishermen, each with a paper plate filled with pie in their hand.

(Photo by Oregon Sea Grant/Pat Kight)

NNMREC’s story isn’t just about fishermen. No it goes far beyond that. It’s county commissioners and mayors,  senators and congressman, scientists and ocean managers, a family at the HMSC visitor center, students at Newport High School, people who read the newspaper,  and a whole lot of other folks I’m not mentioning. NNMREC has been built by people engaging with it, in it, for it. For all of you reading this that have been a piece of this story, thank you for that. Thank you for being a piece of OSU’s wave energy story, of NNMREC’s story, and of mine. I look forward to continuing the journey with all of you and with those of you that are yet to come to the table.

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Photo by Pat Kight/Oregon Sea Grant

While you were diving into a bowl of cereal and finishing your first cup of coffee this morning, you might have caught a glimpse of NNMREC and its wave energy testing efforts on The Weather Channel.

Dave Malkoff reported for The Weather Channel on NNMREC’s ocean testing session with the WET-NZ device in September. His television spot broadcast across the U.S. on the show “Wake Up With Al“. Check out the clip below, featuring comments by NNMREC Director Belinda Batten, NWEI Program Manager Justin Klure and Oregon Governer John Kitzhaber:

The event, while positive and motivational for the industry, assured everyone that wave and tidal renewable energy solutions still have challenges to overcome before they can be utilized effectively to power the world. One of these challenges is stakeholder negotiations.

Oregon fisherman Nick Edwards, who is also a SOORC and OWET board member, was the lone representative from the commercial fishing industry attending the conference. Commercial fishing is a vital component of the Oregon economy and possesses one of the largest stakeholder groups in ocean energy development. Edwards spoke during a panel discussion, “The Art and Practice of Negotiating with Ocean Energy Stakeholders,” and moved people while doing so.

Part of NNMREC’s mission is to involve ocean stakeholders during planning and implementation of ocean energy testing facilities. As a fervent supporter of stakeholder outreach and education, NNMREC is happy to be able to present Edwards’ original panel speech:

“The Art and Practice of Negotiating with Ocean Energy Stakeholders”

by Nick Edwards

That’s a novel idea, being a fisherman. The best poker player will tell you, that you’re not playing your hand; you are playing your opponent’s hand. It is not exactly the same in the art of negotiation, but in my experience, it is pretty darn close.

A commercial fisherman in the old days would negotiate with ocean energy stakeholders with a Louisville Slugger and Babe Ruth would have had a full time job. But the modern day commercial fisherman must have a more proactive approach. The challenge is to find a balance between existing user groups and the revolving door of ocean energy stakeholders. How do the two completely different industries meet, negotiate and coexist?

If I were an ocean energy stakeholder, interested in negotiating renewable energy sites with the commercial fishing industry, I would first learn my strengths. Let’s look at some of them:

1. In 2011, Oregon’s commercial fishing industry landed 285 million pounds of seafood with an ex-vessel value of $146 million dollars. Using a conservative ‘economic multiplier’ of plus two, that is over $300 million dollars pumped into Oregon’s ports and coastal communities. There is no question or doubt about our economic impact or contribution.
2. The elephant in the room, and segment of the fishing fleet with the most to lose, is the Oregon Dungeness Crab industry. The landed value of their catch in 2011 was a whopping $44 million dollars. That’s an amazing 30% of total landed value of all the seafood landed in Oregon.
3. The Oregon seafood industry produces some of the cheapest protein food sources in the world, with the lowest carbon footprint on the planet. Four of Oregon’s commercial fisheries have received Marine Stewardship Council certification, recognized around the world as the global standard for well-managed, sustainably harvested and environmentally neutral fisheries.

These are just some of the strengths of the State’s commercial fishing industry. Realizing and understanding these strengths is important for all ocean energy stakeholders.

Now, let’s look at the strengths of the ocean energy side of the equation.

1. Ocean energy resources are being developed and utilized around the globe. In Europe, they have a goal of using 20% renewable energy by the year 2020. On the Oregon coast, there are all the attributes needed for ocean energy development – good ocean waves, ocean current, ocean tides and strong offshore winds.
2. Former Governor Ted Kulongoski set in motion Oregon’s plan for 25% of all energy consumed to come from renewable sources by 2025. Our current Governor, John Kitzhaber, is following the same path. Ironically, given my profession, I am still proud to say that I voted for both of these men.
3. There is overwhelming state and federal support to create an infrastructure for ocean renewable energy in Oregon. The groundwork of ocean mapping is being led by the Oregon Ocean Planning Advisory Council, the Territorial Sea Plan Working Group along with its Energy Subcommittee, and the Oregon Wave Energy Trust, whose mission is to promote responsible wave energy development. All of these groups are trying to find suitable sites for the future of ocean energy in Oregon with the least effect on the fishing industry.

Now, here are some things for both sides of this issue to consider related to the “art and practice of negotiating” when valuable and historical fishing grounds are in play:

• In Coos Bay, we started a group called SOORC – The Southern Oregon Ocean Resource Coalition – with an open door policy for wave energy stakeholders to discuss their projects’ needs. We have met with Ocean Power Technologies, Principle Power, Aquamarine and NNMREC, just to name a few. During those discussions, we suggested alternative sites representing the least amount of conflict with existing user groups. In my mind, we have made concessions.

• Some of the ocean energy stakeholders we met with have had a “let us help you” approach in those conversations. The intentions of others have appeared more disingenuous.

• At this point in time, the Coos Bay/Reedsport area seems to be the “mecca” for ocean energy development on the Oregon Coast. It has a deep-water port with all the attributes necessary for ocean energy development, such as existing outfall lines, substations and important grid connections – and what appears to be a win-win scenario for both ocean energy developers and the fishing industry.

• Realistically, though, it is unfair to expect one port to bear the burden of lost fishing grounds for ocean renewable energy development. In order to minimize, ocean renewable energy needs to be spread equally throughout Oregon, and caps need to be developed that limit the size and location of the projects.

Three years ago, during Labor Day weekend, I met a man I truly admire. I am proud to say that I voted for this man as well. Since our first meeting, I have been to his office in Washington D.C. and have walked the same halls in the Hart Senate office building. On that weekend, however, I had the honor of welcoming this man into my office, my wheelhouse, aboard the Fishing Vessel (F/V) Carter Jon. That man is Senator Jeff Merkley.

Senator Merkley and his staff wanted to see firsthand the proposed wave energy site just north of Coos Bay. I showed them the site boundaries on my computer charts, and then we transited from one end of this site to the other. It took almost one hour at seven knots. Senator Merkley learned firsthand how large a wave energy site could be. In the process, he got to see the small boat crab fleet that would be directly affected by a large wave energy site in that location. No pressure here, Jeff!!!

That five-hour tour aboard my vessel, the F/V Carter Jon, gave us both an insight into each other’s worlds. I appreciate and give you credit for your request to make the journey, Senator Merkely. You now have the perspective that every ocean energy stakeholder needs to acquire, with regard to the development of “responsible” renewable energy in Oregon.

Despite the ongoing discussions and planning, there are still several unanswered questions.

• The commercial fishing industry is still wondering, how is Goal 19 going to protect the existing user groups in the Territorial Sea?

• Will the commercial fishing industry, a proven contributor to Oregon’s economy, be thrown under the bus for an, unproven technology on the Oregon Coast?

• How does one articulate the importance of a valuable, iconic and sustainable fishery to an ocean energy stakeholder?

• How do we express our concerns about ocean energy development without sounding “anti-sustainable”?

• How do we negotiate this balance and not ignore the bird in the hand while concentrating on the two in the bush?

A recent Coos Bay World editorial stated that Oregon needs to “wade slowly into the waters of renewable energy.” I agree. We need to get this right for both industries. There is no doubt in my mind that ocean energy will come, but the jury is still out on whether or not it will be as successful as envisioned by developers and their enthusiastic supporters.

Oregon is in a new risk-adverse era regarding the research and development stages of ocean energy along the Oregon Coast. Site selections for renewable ocean energy are being vetted as we speak. That reality is becoming readily apparent to the fishing industry. What I have learned during my 35 years of being a commercial fisherman is that the ocean real estate we relinquish, we never get back. A reallocation of real estate will end up being a reallocation of jobs. This promising venture of renewable energy needs very careful introduction into Oregon’s territorial sea.

In closing, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak before this esteemed group of individuals. It’s not always easy for me to wear two hats, to both be a board member of the Oregon Wave Energy Trust and also be a true steward for the commercial fishing industry.

Thank you very much … and GO DUCKS!!!

(Editor’s Note: Nick Edwards would like everyone to know that while he avidly supports NNMREC’s partner schools, Oregon State University and University of Washington, and their work, he is a lifelong University of Oregon Ducks fan.)

Photo courtesy of Nick Edwards

PORTLAND, Or  – In a move that will further establish Oregon as a leader in alternative energy development, the Department of Energy has awarded a $4 million grant to create a world class, grid-connected ocean energy test facility off the Oregon Coast.

The grant announced today by Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Congressman Kurt Schrader was awarded to the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC), one of three DOE-sponsored ocean energy centers in the country. The center is a partnership between Oregon State University (OSU) and the University of Washington (UW). The grant requires $4 million in matching funds.

“This grant, which will help establish a new ocean energy test facility in the Pacific Northwest, cements the role of Oregon State University and the State of Oregon in the forefront on wave energy research,” Wyden said. “Oregon is well on its way to having world-class, off-shore testing facilities sought after by wave energy development companies from around the world.”

“OSU is at the cutting edge in testing a new generation of clean energy,” Merkley said. “I’m thrilled that this grant will allow OSU to continue leading the way on wave energy.”

“Oregon has always been considered to be ahead of the curve in renewable energy innovation,” Schrader said. “The expansion of Oregon State University’s wave energy technology research furthers our tradition of blazing the trail to a secure energy future. Moving forward, the public and private partnerships that were essential in securing this funding will continue to play integral roles in gaining federal assistance for other projects. I look forward to working with our universities, businesses and communities to do what we can to make sure this tradition is carried on.”

“This award is testimony to the strong leadership that Dr. Belinda Batten and her team at NNMREC have provided, and demonstrates the important global impact of research performed at OSU and UW,” said Dr. Rick Spinrad, Vice President for Research at Oregon State University.”

The testing area would be a kind of “off-shore” laboratory where wave energy devices would be essentially “plugged in” to the on-shore electrical grid to test their capabilities. The project is in response to the industry, developers and policy-makers who have said that a full-scale, grid connected ocean test facility is needed to achieve industry commercialization and fully reap the benefits of clean, renewable wave energy resource.

Industry benefits of the Pacific Marine Energy Center include:

§  A centralized location to conduct technological and environmental testing;

§  Unified industry and academia to maximize financial support from public sector;

§  Focused funding for infrastructure across several proposed wave energy technologies;

§  Accelerated information gathering, technology design and, environmental impact analysis;

§  Standardized testing metrics for technology performance evaluation;

§  An economical means of deploying and testing prototypes in the ocean environment;

§  Limited potential conflicts among competing uses for multiple ocean energy test sites;

§  Increased efficiency and effectiveness of public funding by focusing on one, full-service facility;

§  A training ground for future jobs in the ocean energy industry.