The US Energy Department has awarded more than $20 million in funding for projects related to Marine and Hydrokinetic (MHK) energy systems. The DOE has decided to support the projects of ten partners throughout the States. The projects is to improve the performance of MHK systems and advance and environmental monitoring technologies. Harnessing wave power into energy systems is a fledgling industry with potential to recover between 900 and 1,230 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year. Approximately 90,000 homes can be powered by 1 TWh and more than 50% of the US population lives within 50 miles of the coastline, amounting to enormous potential for MHK energy systems. Three demonstration projects will integrate next-generation MHK hardware and software technologies into systems designs; Dresser-Rand, Ocean Renewable Power Company, and Oscilla Power will integrate hardware components designed to increase efficiency and maximize power output. Seven environmental projects will improve, test, and validate cost reductions in environmental equipment in order to reduce the costs associated with monitoring. These projects are expected to give the industry a deeper understanding of interactions between MHK systems and the marine environment.
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