Students present offshore wind turbine research in Ireland
Two 91探花 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鈥攁n 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 91探花 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鈥� trip will lead to new research collaborations.
Devries and Connolly鈥檚 travel and summer work was supported by Regis and Joan Duffy, 91探花鈥檚 SURA program, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
The 91探花 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鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥�91探花 has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 91探花 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. 91探花 is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi鈥檏maq People.
