Much of my work at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as a mechanical engineering intern has consisted of sitting in a gray cubicle, surrounded by identical cubicles, staring at my dual monitor screens. I spend most of my working hours in SolidWorks, a computer-aided design software. Using this software, I model potential tidal turbine mechanisms and support systems and simulate them in operating conditions and loads. Tidal turbines generate power from tidal and ocean currents much like wind turbines in the air. They have been implemented and integrated into the grid in other countries, with Scotland leading the way.
The site I work at, a corner of the former Rocky Flats nuclear production site, is where NREL’s wind and marine energy research takes place. Sometimes, I sit outside on the patio and watch the research wind turbines on site.
I don’t know what will happen to the system I’m working on. I’m not sure whether it’ll ever get be build or implemented. I’ve often felt lost in my work, unsure of its impact.
Still, at NREL I’m surrounded by researchers who have truly helped shape the field of renewable energy. Emeritus researcher Bob Thresher has been a part of wind energy in the U.S. since its beginnings. He showed me pictures of early wind turbine designs from the 70s and 80s, before they looked anything like they do now. I imagine that’s sort of what our tidal turbine will look like compared to the systems of the future.
There’s a lot of reason to be hopeful for the future of renewable energy, especially in wind. The U.S.’ first utility-scale offshore wind farm, South Fork Wind, off the shore of Rhode Island and Long Island, just connected to the grid earlier this year. Another offshore wind farm, Revolution Wind, is coming online sometime next year and will provide electricity to Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Being at NREL, I’ve been inspired by the great passion and potential moving renewable energy forward, but also have seen the myriad of roadblocks, challenges, and delays. And so, I show up every day to work on my SolidWorks models and simulations, knowing that I’m learning the skills to help me make a difference in the renewable energy field.