Oregon Coast Renewable Energy Challenge Showcases Oregon's Future Energy Experts

On March 21, Oregon Department of Energy Director Janine Benner served as a presenter and judge for the 2023 Oregon Coast Renewable Energy Challenge in Newport. Students from elementary and middle schools along the coast created their own renewable energy devices to compete for best design.

The Challenge is designed to educate students about renewable energy options that could be built in and provide energy for their own coastal communities (and beyond). Students developed wind or solar devices for testing in outdoor water tanks or an indoor wind tunnel. Janine was pleased to serve as a judge for the solar competition, where students were challenged to create boats that could stay afloat and move on the water thanks to solar-powered propellers.

Janine was impressed with the caliber of projects the students brought. “I enjoyed asking the students questions about their designs and why they chose certain materials — from empty soda bottles to egg crates to cardboard boxes,” said Janine. “They were so enthusiastic about sharing what they learned, and it was great to connect with their supportive teachers and volunteers.”

Janine also enjoyed the opportunity to give a short presentation on energy in Oregon ahead of the competition, featuring Oregon’s electricity resource mix, our electric vehicle dashboard, and our solar dashboard. The solar dashboard, which includes interactive maps of solar projects in Oregon between 1999 and 2019, got the most oohs and aahs from students as the maps showed how solar dramatically increased through the years.

The winning solar team was Borrowed Time from Toledo Elementary School, with team Blue from Crestview Heights School in Waldport coming in second.

For the wind competitions, Blowin’ Electricity from Sam Case School in Newport won first place for the elementary school division, followed by Scientific Sharks, also from Sam Case. For the middle school division, Turbo Turbines from Warrenton Middle School came in first place, followed by Hydro Riders, also from Warrenton.

The winners from each division will be invited to participate in a national championship competition in Colorado in May.

ODOE was proud to sponsor the Newport event alongside Oregon State University and Oregon Sea Grant.