Dr. Bryson Robertson is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UVic, and the Director of the Institute of Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic). Please join for a hybrid presentation discussing his work on electrical system decarbonization on the US and Canadian West Coast.
About the seminar:
The US States and Canadian Provinces along the West Coast have some of the most aggressive electrical system decarbonization targets in the America’s and, cumulatively, they would be the 5th largest economy in the world. While significant efforts have historically been made to increase penetration of terrestrial wind and solar into the grid, there maintains a significant need to harness new renewable energy resources to meet these targets. Positively, this region has some of the most abundant wave and offshore wind resources in the world. Dr. Robertson will provide an overview of some of context and drivers for ocean renewable energy in the US-context (with a discussion on current US administration), detail efforts by academia to support the responsible advancement of the sector, and highlight a series of research projects from the technical, environmental and social perspectives.
About the speaker:
Dr. Bryson Robertson is the Director of the Institute for Integrated Energy System (IESVic) and a Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Prior academic and administrative appointments include a Professor of Civil Engineering at Oregon State University and the Director of the Pacific Marine Energy Center.
His current research focusses at the intersection of responsible ocean renewable energy progress, and the associated natural, policy, environmental and social landscapes. Over his career, working with industry, government, and academia, he has supported a wide range of sustainable energy technologies and systems; including the first island-renewable energy microgrid (powered by a tidal turbine), on-block forestry biofuel development, hydrogen fuel cell testing, and modelling of the long-term capacity expansion of Canada’s electricity system to meet emission goals.
He has played an active role in developing strategic renewable energy plans for both British Columbia and the State of Oregon. He has testified to both the US House of Representatives and the Canadian House of Commons on renewable energy opportunities and challenges. More recently, Bryson has been educating himself on the social and human dimensions of renewable energy, and associated perspectives that drive public perspectives and policy objectives.