Ocean Renewable Energy: From Potential to Actual - Status of the Industry in 2015

November 13, 2015
ME Lecture Hall
1300

Mr. Jason Busch

Executive Director, Oregon Wave Energy Trust

Abstract

The world’s oceans contain an extraordinary amount of potential energy.  Today, several companies around the world are developing technologies that are designed to efficiently, affordably, and safely harness some of that energy potential for electrical generation and desalinization. While the potential is extraordinary, the impediments are also significant.  As nations around the world look to their energy futures, a clear trend toward renewable energy, and away from fossil fuels, has emerged.  Although ocean renewable energy technologies are nascent, significant public investment has helped move the sector forward toward commercial viability.  This presentation will provide an overview of the resource, technologies, and the issues that face this emerging energy source.  Specific emphasis will highlight the status of technologies related to wave, tidal, and offshore wind resources, the status of the industry worldwide, and the status of projects in the United States, including the deployments at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Biography

Jason Busch is Executive Director of Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET), a nonprofit public-private partnership funded by the Oregon Innovation Council to support the responsible development of marine energy in Oregon and the jobs this new industry will create.

OWET serves as a connector for all stakeholders involved in marine energy project development – from research and development to early stage community engagement and final deployment and energy generation – positioning Oregon as the North American leader in this nascent industry, and delivering its
full economic and environmental potential for the state. OWET was named a finalist in Sustainable Business Oregon’s 2012 Innovation in Sustainability awards.

Prior to joining Oregon Wave Energy Trust, Mr. Busch was Principal at Sustainable Legal Solutions LLC, where he provided legal services specializing in renewable energy company start-ups and project development. Previously, he was an attorney for Ater Wynne and Stoel Rives in Portland, Oregon.

Mr. Busch holds a B.A. in Political Science from Texas A&M University and a M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Southern Mississippi. He received a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 2006 from the University of Oregon School of Law, graduating with honors and admitted to the Order of the Coif.

POC

Dr. Daniel A. Nussbaum
Naval Postgraduate School 
Principal, Energy Academic Group
Monterey CA 93943
Phone: 831-656-2387
Mobile: 831-324-3228
Email: dnussbaum@nps.edu