Abstract
About Us
PMEC is a consortium of three universities focused on responsibly advancing marine energy by expanding scientific understanding, engaging stakeholders, and educating students. We serve as an objective voice regarding the opportunities, capabilities, and effects of marine energy, including wave, tidal, and riverine resources.
Researchers from the University of Washington, Oregon State University, and University of Alaska Fairbanks work closely with marine energy technology developers, academic and National Laboratory researchers, coastal community members, ocean users, federal and state regulators, and other government officials to address key challenges in the sector and accelerate its emergence.
As a consortium, we unify research & development, testing, and educational programs in marine energy across our three partner universities. Individual projects typically cross-cut these capabilities and often involve collaborative teams drawn from multiple institutions. For example, a graduate student might conduct research towards their degree at one of the affiliated test facilities. Further, our scope includes technology, the environment, and society, with projects often cross-cutting these areas.
Letter from the Director
Dear PMEC colleagues, friends, and partners, As we move into 2026, I want to take a moment to celebrate what we have accomplished together over the past year. The impact of PMEC’s work—on the communities we serve, the students we mentor and graduate, and the agency missions and partners we support— is both meaningful and far-reaching. For communities and utilities seeking to add reliable energy to their mix, PMEC conducted resource assessments to inform their decision-making. For developers, PMEC collaborated on device testing and contributed foundational knowledge in methods and design for turbines and wave energy converters alike. For regulators and communities, PMEC literally put a new lens on our understanding of wildlife interactions with marine energy devices, and for the broader marine energy community, PMEC supported and mentored students in becoming leaders in the field. We serve a vast array of stakeholders, from industries and developers to communities, educators, and the national and international research community. Through these relationships, PMEC remains steadfast in its commitment to deliver the highest quality research and development in the advancement of marine energy.
This ‘Year in Review’ highlights just a few examples of the many activities underway across our partner institutions at Oregon State University, the University of Washington, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Collectively, these efforts reflect PMEC’s dedication to advancing renewable power at sea, supporting communities as they participate in the energy transition, and developing the next generation of marine energy technologies and leaders.
In 2025 alone, PMEC-affiliated faculty, staff, and students collaborated with 13 technology developers, three national labs and test sites, eight outside universities, and more than a dozen energy agencies, Tribal governments, municipalities, non-profits, and technology developers around the world. Students and faculty won national and international awards for their work, published over 28 journal articles and 18 conference proceedings, and led or participated in over a dozen community events across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. These accomplishments are a testament to the expertise, perseverance, and teamwork across our consortium.
This year also brought challenges, and the PMEC community responded—with resilience, generosity, and strong support for one another. The strength of our partnerships and shared purpose has enabled PMEC to continue to grow, support our students and collaborators, and lead within the academic marine energy community.
Looking ahead to 2026, I am excited to build on this momentum as we expand PMEC’s global presence and strengthen partnerships in Canada, Europe, and beyond. The success of this past year reflects the skill, dedication and passion of every individual involved.
Thank you for your continued commitment to PMEC and to the communities and mission we serve.
Cheers,
Bryson Robertson, PMEC Director & OSU Professor of Civil and Enviro Engineering