The Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office is putting up $23 million to support advancements in marine energy technologies. Unlike traditional hydropower, marine energy aims to harness tidal and current power.
“Marine energy is the newest frontier where we can unleash American innovation to produce more energy more affordably,” DOE Undersecretary Mark Menezes said at the National Hydropower Association’s Waterpower Week in Washington. “Investing in early-stage research and development is critical to our America First energy and economic strategy to provide millions of Americans with domestic, clean and reliable energy.”
The DOE says it wants to drive leadership in marine energy through research and development that supports industry advancement in wave, tidal, ocean and river current technologies. Research will address challenges in generating power from dynamic, low-velocity and high-density waves and currents in corrosive ocean environments.
Early stage device design, involving development of prototype systems that can be proven through numerical simulations and testing, is one category eligible for funding. Funding is also available for ways for ways to analyze environmental data and disseminate marine energy regulations.
The DOE will hold an informational webinar on the research opportunity on May 10. The deadline for submitting concept papers is May 31. Full applications are due July 17.
