In the U.S., one seldom finds ocean waves listed among the generally accepted list of renewable energy sources. This is not the case abroad. The UK, Norway, Australia, Japan, India, and China are among the countries that have provided funds for research and development, and so has the European Union. The first commercial wave energy plant went on-line in Islay Scotland in November of 2000. And now Canada has launched a demonstration project in British Columbia.

"There is a clear need in the US for an organization capable of helping promising wave energy conversion systems get to the point where sound commercialization decisions can be made by the private sector. There is also a clear need for a center that will deal with the technical, economical, legal, environmental, and political issues involved. Talented, dedicated, capable people are already available to do this work. All that is needed is a well funded organization to gather, support, and co-ordinate their efforts." Joseph Leary, POWER co-founder.

POWER provides a means by which donations from energy and/or environmentally oriented foundations, commercial enterprises, the public, and hopefully in the not too distant future, government agencies, can make ocean wave energy available to mankind. POWER could also provide the matching funds that are required by many of the government funding programs if government funding of wave energy was to commence.

Who Turned on the Lights?

Dr. Seymour, a highly respected oceanographer, initiated the wave data buoy system for Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He edited a definitive book entitled "Ocean Energy Recovery: the State of the Art".

Joseph Leary is Senior Vice President of Float Incorporated, and is a systems designer and software author/publisher that has also been working in the wave energy field for twenty years.

Joe Hughes, Lionel Hernholm, and Joseph Leary comprise POWER’s initial Board of Directors.

Joe Hughes is a management, marketing, and technical consultant in the ocean related industries. His industry experience includes Rockwell, Inc., Litton Industries, General Dynamics, and Honeywell Marine Systems Groups, with emphasis on electro-optical and inertial systems, avionics, and project management at executive levels.

Lionel Hernholm is a practicing attorney in the areas of business litigation and consultation to manufacturing and biotechnical companies.

POWER also has consultants who are helping. Most prominent among them are Dr. Neal A. Brown and Dr. Asfaw Beyene.

Neal A. Brown, Engineering Science Consultant received his PhD in and taught Naval Architecture at MIT. As Visiting Professor at the University of New Orleans, he incorporated ocean wave mechanics in the curriculum. His background includes ship propulsion, offshore marine hydrodynamics, ship silencing, and underwater acoustics.

Dr. Asfaw Beyene is a professor of mechanical engineering at San Diego State University. He has extensive experience in energy conversion efficiency. As head of the California Wave Energy Consortium, which he formed in the spring of 2001, he is the principal investigator for a wave energy resource study being conducted for the California Energy Commission.

Susie Bryant, who has extensive accounting and office management experience, is POWER’s CFO and Secretary.

Shelli Herman, with business development and extensive sales experience, is heading up POWER’s fund raising team.

There are also numerous associates not named. POWER has already been endorsed by:

     A
     B etc.

And other letters are on their way. If you would like to endorse this effort, we would appreciate hearing from you. Opening up a previously unutilized source of clean, renewable energy in the US is exciting. Your input is welcome.

The founders and associates of POWER represent over 200 man-years of ocean wave energy expertise.