Motivations

As human population increases and fossil fuels become scarcer, research into renewable energy becomes more important to sustain our way of life. Wave and hydrokinetic generated energy is an underutilized resource. There is great potential for both large and small scale implementations of hydrokinetic energy generators around the globe. Even the local Madison area has potential to benefit from this method of energy generation.

Both partners in this group project found their interest piqued when the subject of wave generated hydroelectricity came up in class. As engineers the research performed in this project could serve as a basis for future employment in the fast growing field of renewable energy and the incredibly important field of coastal engineering. Innovation will be the gateway to harnessing viable amounts of energy from hydrokinetic sources, and we are the future of innovation!

Erica J. Hagen is a senior Geological Engineering undergraduate student excited about hydrokinetic generators! She wants to save the world one rock at a time.



Kira is a CEE senior with a passion for water. Her new favorite superhero is Aquaman, she wants to be a mermaid (or a marine iguana), and thinks reducing our dependence on fossil fuels by using water is a pretty cool idea.