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Energy and Environment Directorate

Mikaela Freeman

Mikaela Freeman

(206) 528-3071

Biography

Mikaela Freeman joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Coastal Science Division in Seattle in 2016 after earning her Masters of Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. At PNNL, Mikaela is a marine science and policy analyst who focuses on outreach and engagement and environmental impacts of marine renewable energy. Mikaela has supported projects related to marine renewable energy and wind energy environmental effects, water resource management in the Puget Sound, review and synthesis of US marine hydrokinetic regulations, and permitting for growing macroalgea. Mikaela’s Masters work focused on Marine Spatial Planning in Washington through assessing potential spatial and temporal conflicts between marine uses.

Research Interests

  • Environmental and socioeconomic impacts of marine renewable energy
  • Stakeholder and regulator engagement
  • Resource management
  • Marine Spatial Planning

Education and Credentials

  • M.M.A., Marine and Environmental Policy, University of Washington, 2015
  • B.S., Natural Sciences - Biology emphasis, University of Puget Sound, 2012. Minor in Environmental Policy and Decision Making

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • IAP2 Certificates: Foundations in Public Participation (2016), Planning for Effective Public Participation (2016)

Awards and Recognitions

  • Sydney D. and Barbara F. Campbell Maritime Studies Endowed Fellowship (2014, 2015)

PNNL Publications

2024

2022

  • Freeman M.C., R.S. O'Neil, L. Garavelli, D. Hellin, and J. Klure. 2022. "Case Study on the Novel Permitting and Authorization of PacWave South, a US Grid-Connected Wave Energy Test Facility: Development, Challenges, and Insights." Energy Policy 168. PNNL-SA-175192. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113141
  • Garavelli L., M.C. Freeman, L.G. Tugade, D. Greene, and J. Mcnally. 2022. "A feasibility assessment for co-locating and powering offshore aquaculture with wave energy in the United States." Ocean and Coastal Management 225. PNNL-SA-170040. doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106242

2021

  • Copping A.E., D.J. Rose, and M.C. Freeman. 2021. "Moving from scientific research to consenting guidance for MRE environmental risk." In Proceedings of the 14th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC 2021), September 5-9, 2021, Virtual, Online, 1912-1 - 1912-7. Southampton:European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference Series. PNNL-SA-161459.
  • Hemery L.G., D.J. Rose, M.C. Freeman, and A.E. Copping. 2021. "Retiring environmental risks of marine renewable energy devices: The “habitat change” case." In Proceedings of the 14th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC 2021), September 5-9, 2021, Virtual, Online, 1931-1 - 1931-6. Plymouth:European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference Series. PNNL-SA-160799.

2020

  • Copping A.E., L.G. Hemery, D.M. Overhus, L. Garavelli, M.C. Freeman, J.M. Whiting, and A.M. Gorton, et al. 2020. "Potential environmental effects of marine renewable energy development - the state of the science." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 8, no. 11:Article No. 879. PNNL-SA-156387. doi:10.3390/jmse8110879
  • Copping A.E., M.C. Freeman, A.M. Gorton, and L.G. Hemery. 2020. "Risk Retirement - Decreasing Uncertainty and Informing Consenting Permitting Processes for Marine Renewable Energy Development." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 8, no. 3:172. PNNL-SA-150723. doi:10.3390/jmse8030172

2019

  • Copping A.E., M.C. Freeman, A.M. Gorton, and L.G. Hemery. 2019. "A Risk Retirement Pathway for Potential Effects of Underwater Noise and Electromagnetic Fields for Marine Renewable Energy." In OCEANS 2019 MTS/IEEE, October 27-31, 2019, Seattle, WA. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-147090. doi:10.23919/OCEANS40490.2019.8962841
  • Whiting J.M., A.E. Copping, M.C. Freeman, and A.E. Woodbury. 2019. "Tethys Knowledge Management System: Working to Advance the Marine Renewable Energy Industry." International Marine Energy Journal 2, no. 1:29-38. PNNL-SA-132718. doi:10.36688/imej.2.29-38
  • Whiting J.M., A.E. Copping, M.C. Freeman, and A.E. Woodbury. 2019. "Tethys Knowledge Management System: Working to Advance the Marine Renewable Energy Industry." International Marine Energy Journal 2, no. 1:29-38. PNNL-SA-140333. doi:10.36688/imej.2.29-38

2018

  • Copping A.E., M.C. Freeman, A.M. Gorton, and S. Dreyer. 2018. "Managing Environmental Effects to Facilitate Marine Renewable Energy Development." In The 4th Asian Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (AWTEC 2018), September 9-13, 2018, Taipei, Taiwan. Keelung City:National Taiwan Ocean University. PNNL-SA-135255.

Selected Publications

2016

  • Freeman, M.C., Whiting, L., and Kelly, R.P. 2016. Assessing potential spatial and temporal conflicts in Washington's marine waters. Marine Policy, v 70, pp. 137-144.

Energy and Environment

Core Research Areas

Contacts