$41 Million Investment Strengthens and Expands Marine Energy R&D and Testing Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) recently invested more than $41 million in the four university-led National Marine Energy Centers (NMECs). This funding, which includes $36 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help strengthen and expand marine energy research and development and bolster marine energy testing infrastructure at the NMECs. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investment will fund more than 30 research and development projects for the nine universities that make up the NMECs, along with nearly 60 graduate students.

Marine energy technologies harness power from waves, tides, ocean and river currents, and differences in ocean temperatures and transform it into clean electricity. The total available marine energy resource in the United States is equivalent to nearly 60% of all U.S. power generation. Even if only a small portion of this technical resource potential is captured, marine energy technologies would make significant contributions to U.S. energy needs, especially for remote, coastal, and island communities that often rely on expensive shipments of fossil fuels. Marine energy resources are also highly predictable, making them promising contributors to a stable, reliable clean energy grid with more variable renewable energy resources and even offshore work.

The NMECs are located across the country to capitalize on various marine energy resources and regional expertise, providing access to the facilities and experts developers need to test and advance marine energy technologies. Collectively, they advance marine energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial activities. The NMECs also serve as an information clearinghouse for the sector, collecting and disseminating best practices on developing and managing marine energy technologies and resources.

The $41 million investment will support a variety of efforts centered around research and development, infrastructure improvements, strategy, administration, and outreach and communications.

Atlantic Marine Energy Center

Among their projects, the team at the Atlantic Marine Energy Center (AMEC)—consisting of the University of New Hampshire, Lehigh University, Stony Brook University, and the Coastal Studies Institute—will advance the development of anchor systems to support marine energy device deployments in deep water. Anchor systems are designed to keep marine energy devices in place. Researchers will advance a specialized anchoring system that can be adapted to multiple devices and water conditions.

In another project, AMEC researchers will analyze computer models to determine the structural integrity of turbine blades in response to turbulent waves. This project will help ensure the turbine blades used on marine energy devices are able to survive variable conditions. 

Hawai’i Marine Energy Center

The Hawai‘i Marine Energy Center (HMEC), led by the Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, will undertake several projects including one focused on completing computer modeling and ocean testing of two wave energy converter designs to refine their power performance. Researchers will then conduct additional testing on one of the devices to demonstrate its effectiveness in an open water environment. HMEC will also conduct marine energy-focused educational outreach in remote island communities throughout Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands. The team aims to build community relationships and understanding of marine energy’s potential in these communities.

Pacific Marine Energy Center

As part of their projects, researchers at the Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC)—comprising the University of Washington, Oregon State University, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks—will develop a real-time wave prediction tool that can help maximize the power output and efficiency of wave energy converters. 

In another project, PMEC experts will conduct research to develop techniques and systems that will autonomously detect and mitigate debris from river-based turbine systems. When debris gets into turbine systems, it can become lodged in turbine blades and potentially damage the turbines, impacting efficiency and leading to costly repairs. These debris-mitigation techniques will be applied to a variety of turbines throughout Alaska and be used for undergrad and graduate student learning opportunities. 

Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center

Among their projects, the team at the Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC), led by Florida Atlantic University, will simulate and quantify how much power could be captured from ocean currents and develop ocean current prediction tools. Researchers will also develop a 3D operational tool to improve power production forecasting for future deployments of devices. 

SNMREC will also conduct research into ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), which generates power using temperature differences in the ocean, with the goal of lowering the cost of energy. Researchers will share their data with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to supplement its existing data and improve overall OTEC knowledge.

Over the years, the NMECs have become internationally recognized for their marine energy research and testing expertise. They have also become integral to several WPTO-funded programs, including the Testing Expertise and Access for Marine Energy Research program and the University Marine Energy Research Community. The recent investments in the NMECs will help increase marine energy research and development and bolster testing infrastructure as the United States continues to increase its renewable energy resources. 

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