Marine energy standardization experts meet in Hawaii

The US Technical Advisory Group of the IEC TC-114, which covers wave, tidal, and other water current converters, held a meeting in Hawaii to discuss the latest in marine energy standardization.

The meeting focused on the status of the committee’s technical specifications and US strategies for this international effort.

Participants included industry members, developers, Department of Energy representatives, and laboratory participants.

The group also discussed current standards gaps, certification pathways, and the need for a recommended practice document that will point developers to all existing certification standards.

The University of Hawaii’s Luis Vega hosted the meeting and organized a tour of the Wave Energy Test Site at Kaneohe Bay, which can run grid-connected ocean testing of marine energy devices.

The International Electrotechnical Commission Technical Committee 114 (IEC TC-114) develops international technical specifications and standards for marine energy conversion systems, with the primary focus on conversion of wave, tidal and other water current energy into electrical energy.