Ocean Energy Scientist Honored for Leadership Role in Offshore Wind
February 20, 2019
George Hagerman recognized by the Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance for his work in offshore wind energy.
By Noell Saunders
George Hagerman, a senior project scientist for the Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography at Old Dominion University, recently received the 2018 Virginia Renewable Energy Leadership Award for his longtime work in offshore wind energy.
"George has been a catalyst in the development of offshore wind-energy generation. He is well-deserving of this recognition of his efforts to promote wind-energy development off the coast of Virginia," said John Klinck, director of the Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography.
Hagerman holds a master of science degree in marine sciences and a bachelor's in zoology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has several decades of experience with renewable ocean energy, including offshore wind, wave, tidal current and ocean thermal-power production.
"We at Old Dominion University should be enormously proud of George's award because it exemplifies his unique tenacity that has driven mid-Atlantic offshore wind efforts from concept to reality," said Paul Olsen, director of programs and partnerships for the University's Office of Research. "All of this is incredibly exciting stuff for ODU and our Commonwealth and magnificently positions us to become national leaders in offshore wind research and development."
Hagerman is the second person to receive an award from the Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance, a Richmond-based trade association.
"George was instrumental in the inception and successful award of CVOW (Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind) and the establishment of the Section 238 Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy Research Lease Blocks adjacent to the Virginia Wind Energy Area. All of these accomplishments are largely attributable to George Hagerman's vision, passion, and loyalty to the residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia," wrote Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance Vice Chairman Rick Thomas in his nomination letter.
Prior to arriving at ODU, Hagerman was a senior research associate at the Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute in Hampton. He was also a member of the front-end engineering design team for the offshore wind demonstration project led by Dominion Energy, where he prepared work scopes and reviewed work products for the metocean (meteorology and physical oceanography) design basis. Now named the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project, these two demonstration turbines are scheduled for installation in 2020.
From 2006 to 2011, Hagerman was director of research for the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, a public-private-university partnership based at ODU, which pioneered the evaluation of offshore wind and marine biomass-derived fuels as potential future coastal energy supplies for Virginia.
The Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance seeks candidates for the award who bring renewable energy to a new market, develop projects of a notable size, advance renewable energy legislation in Virginia or bring renewable energy to underserved communities.
About the Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography
The Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography at Old Dominion University was established to promote research on the physical oceanography of the coastal ocean and related oceanographic processes. The coastal ocean is the focus of increasing research for reasons relating to both short-term anthropogenic impacts and long-term global change. For more information: http://www.ccpo.odu.edu
About the Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance
The Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance (VA-REA) seeks to advance renewable energy in the Commonwealth by hosting events, creating networking and partnership opportunities, and providing education and resources regarding renewable energy. VA-REA's membership includes 48 entities from across the country, including Dominion Energy, sPower, Apex Clean Energy and the Sierra Club of Virginia. Members come together to support and advance renewable energy in Virginia. For more information: www.va-rea.org
