Ocean Wave Energy
Dear Editor: In October I showed up in Sitka – just in time for Alaska Day and a rapid loss of daylight hours. My partner, Daniel, and I decided to move here for six months so that I could work with this community and the rather incredible researcher Molly Grear on an ocean wave energy project. The idea behind wave energy is that we can turn the energy of the ocean waves into a renewable form of electricity or otherwise usable energy. Wave energy technologies are still in their early stages, ripe for the creative input of people of coastal communities who live and breathe the oceans. My goal has been to find out what engineers and technology developers need to do to help communities like Sitka design their own renewable energy projects to meet their own unique needs. I want to figure out if wave energy could help Sitka and if Sitka could shape the future of wave energy.
Back in October I was still figuring out how I would answer my research questions, but one thing I did know was that I would have to get to know this place. So many people have helped me with that along the way. I would like to thank each of the folks who spoke with me back when my project was only half-baked. They listened to my ideas and answered my wide range of questions, even when it might have been tough to see the connection between my work and theirs. Thank you to Elizabeth Bagley, Chandler O’Connell, Jeff Feldspauch, Cora Dow, Rob Jordan, Johnny Elliot, KK Prussian, Linda Behnken and all the folks at the Sitka Sound Science Center who have helped me keep this project in motion.
Now, I am nearing the end of my time here, but not without giving something back nor without plans to return. On Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m. I will be giving a presentation at the Sitka Sound Science Center on what we have learned so far about ocean wave energy in Sitka. The event is open to the whole community. During the event, I will also introduce a research study that we are launching in March. We are looking for folks from the Sitka community who want to learn about renewable energy system design to participate in the design of a (theoretical) marine energy project for Sitka.
Workshops will take place in March, May, and August, and folks can find out more by emailing me (Ali Trueworthy) at truewoal@oregonstate.edu. I invite Sitkans to join me on March 10 at Beak Restaurant anytime from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to sign-up in person or ask questions. It has been a joy to work with folks here in Sitka, and I look forward to continuing to do so.
Ali Trueworthy, Sitka
