Young Oregon Energy Innovators Compete in Oregon Coast Renewable Energy Challenge

An indoor wind tunnel tested student wind turbine projects.

Students test out their homemade wind turbine.

A student solar boat is tested on the water.

More than 250 students participated in the Oregon Coast Renewable Energy Challenge this year.

Students raise their hands to share how they lost power in a recent windstorm.

The Oregon Department of Energy was proud to support the event for the third year.

ODOE Director Janine Benner helps pass out awards.

ODOE Director Janine Benner helps pass out awards.

On March 4, the Oregon Department of Energy was proud to sponsor the 2025 Oregon Coast Renewable Energy Challenge at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Students from public elementary and middle schools along the coast created their own renewable energy devices to compete for best design.

ODOE Director Janine Benner served as a keynote presenter for the event, sharing energy data and trends with the students, educators, and parents, such as how solar has grown in Oregon over the last several decades. Janine was joined by ODOE Communications Director Jenny Kalez to serve as judges for the student projects, including wave energy devices, solar boats, and wind turbines.

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). The students developed presentation boards alongside their devices, which were tested in water tanks or an indoor wind tunnel.

It was ODOE’s third time sponsoring the event alongside Oregon State University, Oregon Sea Grant, and Oregon Coast STEM Hub. Janine was again impressed with the student projects. “These young innovators really showed off their creativity when it came to designing their energy devices — from reused cardboard and plastic to old drink containers,” said Janine. “Some even sported googly eyes or other fun design features. The students clearly put a lot of work into their projects, and I enjoyed connecting with their supportive teachers and volunteers.”

In her keynote presentation, Janine asked students to weigh in on ODOE’s Oregon Energy Strategy effort, which will help identify potential pathways to an equitable clean energy future for Oregon. Several students made suggestions, including focusing on energy efficiency and adding more solar to the state. One young innovator wants to be part of the solution by inventing something that will generate more clean energy. Another student expressed the importance of talking to a lot of Oregonians to get their ideas.

We look forward to someday working with this future group of energy experts!

Congratulations to the winners:

Wave Energy: Elementary School

1. East Team | Ms. Madden, Crestview Heights, Waldport, OR

2. Sea Sluggs | Ms. Forshee, Crestview Heights, Waldport, OR

Wave Energy: Middle School

1. Tyler the Creator | Mr. Martin, Newport Middle School, Newport, OR

2. The Wave Baddies | Mr. Martin, Newport Middle School, Newport, OR

Solar Energy: Elementary School

1. Bippity Boppity Boop | Ms. Silvonen, Crestview Heights, Waldport, OR

2. Wolves, Ms. Silvonen | Crestview Heights, Waldport, OR

Solar Energy: Middle School

1. Shallow Minded | Mr. Jones, Pacific High School, Port Orford, OR

2. Heat Hooligans | Ms. Lent, Warrenton Middle School, Warrenton, OR

Wind Energy: Elementary School

1. Kinetic Energy | Ms. Gwynn, Sam Case, Newport, OR

2. Wind Energy | Ms. Gwynn, Sam Case, Newport, OR

Wind Energy: Middle School

1. Brooke & Eva | Mr. Jones, Pacific High School, Port Orford, OR

2. Twisty Turbines | Ms. Lent, Warrenton Middle School, Warrenton, OR

Winners are eligible to participate in a national championship competition later this year.