Students present offshore wind turbine research in Ireland
Two UPEI students recently presented their summer research projects at an international offshore renewable energy symposium in Ireland. Kellen Devries, a second-year student in sustainable design engineering, and Patrick Connolly, a fourth-year student in physics, attended the annual European symposium of the International Network on Offshore Renewable Energy—an organization that promotes connections and collaboration among graduate students, early-stage researchers, and industry.
Devries and Connolly worked with Dr. Matt Hall in the School of Sustainable Design Engineering to design and create simulation models for floating offshore wind turbines. This new technology sees wind turbines mounted on floating platforms, allowing for the harvesting of wind energy far offshore. Devries worked to improve design tools for mooring lines, which anchor the turbine platforms in place. Connolly explored new ways to interconnect farms of offshore turbines to reduce their cost.
Dr. Hall says both students presented posters and represented UPEI well among an international group of mostly graduate students. They also participated in industry-directed collaborative tasks from Cascadia Coast Research and Nova Innovation. Dr. Hall, who was in Ireland for the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, anticipates the students’ trip will lead to new research collaborations.
Devries and Connolly’s travel and summer work was supported by Regis and Joan Duffy, UPEI’s SURA program, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island. UPEI is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
