A scientist at Old Dominion University (ODU) was recently awarded the Virginia Renewable Energy Leadership Award for his work on offshore wind energy. George Hagerman is a senior project scientist for the Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography at ODU and has been working on renewable energy issues for his entire career.

The Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance is a Richmond-based trade association that honors candidates who bring renewable energy to new or underserved areas, advance renewable energy legislation, or develop large renewable projects.

Hagerman is credited with the “successful award of 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,” said  Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance Vice Chairman Rick Thomas in his nomination letter. “All of these accomplishments are largely attributable to George Hagerman’s vision, passion, and loyalty to the residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Before advocating offshore wind at ODU, Hagerman served as a senior research associate at the Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute in Hampton. He also helped lead an offshore wind project by Dominion Energy, now called the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project. Two turbines from that project are scheduled to be installed in 2020.

He also served as the director of research for the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium at ODU from 2006 to 2011, where he helped evaluate offshore wind and marine biomass-derived fuels for Virginia.

“George has been a catalyst in the development of offshore wind-energy generation,” said John Klinck, director of the Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography. “He is well-deserving of this recognition of his efforts to promote wind-energy development off the coast of Virginia.”

Original article published by ODU.