Waves to Water Sponsors and Partners

Coastal Studies Institute

The Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) is a multi-institutional research and education partnership led by East Carolina University, in collaboration with North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Elizabeth City State University. CSI’s interdisciplinary research focuses on pressing coastal issues, including renewable ocean energy development. For almost a decade, the state-funded North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program, a collaboration between CSI and the colleges of engineering at North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina Charlotte, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, have been researching and developing new ways to bring ocean energy technologies to market sustainably, while working with private industry to test devices in the waters off the Outer Banks. CSI operates a renewable energy testing site in partnership with Jennette’s Pier, a North Carolina Aquariums’ operated facility located in Nags Head, North Carolina.