On January 15, 2013 the University of North Carolina Coastal Studies Institute’s (UNC-CSI) research and education campus was dedicated and officially opened in Skyco, NC. This inter-university coastal and marine science institute will escalate the presence and impact of higher educational opportunities in northeastern North Carolina and promote economic enhancement for the region.
Local and state dignitaries, University officials, UNC-CSI federal and state partners and UNC-CSI board members attended the dedication. The President of the University of North Carolina System, Thomas W. Ross, was the keynote speaker and shared his enthusiasm for the Institute. NC House Representative Paul Tine, Dare County Commissioner Warren Judge, Nags Head Mayor Bob Oakes and UNC-CSI Director Dr. Nancy White also shared words of excitement and appreciation with the crowd.
The dedication of the site by the University kicks off a series of community events to take place throughout the spring, including a public open house on February 2, 2013 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
UNC-CSI is leading a renewable ocean energy research program that is focused on the potential of waves, tides and currents to generate energy with the intent of facilitating the creation of new economies for North Carolina. This program is being conducted with the Colleges of Engineering at NC State (NCSU), UNC Charlotte (UNCC), and North Carolina A&T Universities (NC A&T).
In December 2011, a wave energy device called SurgeWEC, designed by Resolute Marine Energy, was deployed off of Jennette’s Pier. This project is part of a larger program initiated by the North Carolina General Assembly and managed by UNC-CSI to research opportunities to develop renewable ocean energy and convert it for electric transmission.
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Press release, January 18, 2013; Image: UNC-CSI