Summary: Research and development related to marine renewable energy has a long history at Florida Atlantic University, and it took a quantum jump forward in 2010 when a University research program was designated as the Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC) by U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind and Water Power Program, part of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. SNMREC uses a systems approach to address research and development in ocean energy, specifically ocean current hydrokinetic and ocean thermal energy conversion. This systems level approach involves understanding and assessing the interdependencies of the environment, the ecology, the resource and the demonstration and evaluation of energy conversion technologies. Sue Skemp is the Executive Director for the SNMREC at Florida Atlantic University FAU). She has developed a multi-disciplinary program to investigate, test and evaluate the potential of harnessing power to generate base-load electricity from the ocean currents specifically ocean current hydrokinetic and ocean thermal energy conversion. Led by Ms. Skemp, the SNMREC and FAU’s engineers and scientists are making a unique contribution to a broadly diversified portfolio of renewable energy for the nation’s future. Ms. Skemp has a broad background in industry, Federal policy and professional engineering associations. During her 31-year career at Pratt & Whitney, she was instrumental in leading a number of research and technical programs and organizations, including programs totaling more than $110 million with the DoD and NASA. Sue was also a Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President. She acted as a policy lead for industrial technology matters, including manufacturing, and on matters related to K-12 STEM education, engineering education, and aerospace. Skemp sits on a number of boards and committees and served as the 121st President (2002- 03) of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and is currently the Vice Chair of the ASME Foundation Board of Directors. She is a Fellow of ASME as well as an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Ms. Skemp is a member of Engineering Advisory Boards to the United States Military Academy and the University of Maryland College Park, and a former member of the FAU National Alumni Association Board of Directors. A native of Boca Raton, Florida, Ms. Skemp received her degree in Mechanical Engineering from FAU. She is a mother of two and a grandmother of three.
