According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), several initiatives will be launched across 17 universities, including five minority-serving institutions, to address challenges in the marine and ocean renewable energy sectors. These projects aim to drive innovation and expand the deployment of renewable energy solutions.
Unlocking Ocean Potential
“The oceans hold incredible potential for renewable energy to power homes, businesses, and even offshore work such as marine research,” said Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The total available marine energy resource in the U.S. is estimated to equal nearly 60% of the country’s total power generation, indicating that capturing even a fraction of this potential could significantly impact the nation’s energy supply.
Floating offshore wind alone has a 2.8 TW potential power capacity in the U.S., which is more than double the current national electricity consumption if fully realized.
Funded Projects and Collaborations
The DOE’s funding will support projects that generate publicly available data and develop test platforms to identify cost reductions and improve performance for marine energy devices. Notable awards include:
- Oregon State University and Rutgers University: USD 500,000 each
- University of Michigan: Nearly USD 1.5 million across two awards
- Other institutions like Boston University, California Polytechnic State University, and University of Hawaii at Manoa received awards ranging from USD 375,000 to USD 497,000.
These projects will also explore synergies between offshore wind, marine energy, and aquaculture development.
Supporting Education and Research
Several awards are aimed at supporting undergraduate research and senior design projects in marine energy. Notable institutions include:
- Baldwin Wallace University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- University of Houston
- University of Washington
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Each of these institutions received approximately USD 500,000 to foster talent and innovation in this emerging sector.
Additional Funding and Future Prospects
Further funding has been allocated to projects addressing the Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO)’s Marine Energy Program objectives. This includes:
- Michigan Technological University: USD 598,800
- North Carolina State University: Two awards of USD 1 million each
- Oregon State University: Totaling nearly USD 2.5 million
Recent studies led by European universities suggest that wave energy could match the cost-effectiveness of offshore wind at favorable locations by the 2030s, emphasizing the long-term potential of this renewable resource.
Recent Developments
Renewable energy company SwitcH2 has partnered with Swedish firm CorPower Ocean to develop an industrial-scale floating green ammonia production facility partially powered by wave energy. This project, backed by BW Offshore and Dutch Oceans Capital, aims to integrate wind, solar, and wave power for green ammonia production in offshore environments.
In late November, WPTO announced the winners of the first phase of its Power at Sea Prize, awarding USD 200,000 to 20 teams for marine energy concepts aimed at powering ocean-based activities.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy – Marine Energy Initiatives
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy – Project Announcements
- International Renewable Energy Agency – Marine Energy Resources
