US Energy Department: USD 10.5 mln for marine energy systems

The Energy Department has announced USD 10.5 million in available funding to support the design and operation of innovative marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) systems through survivability and reliability-related testing of these systems.

The ‘Next-Generation Marine Energy Systems – Durability and Survivability’ funding opportunity will focus on reducing the costs of MHK systems in the early stages of the development cycle, in order to avoid costly failures and design iterations with prototypes at a larger scale.

By reducing uncertainty in MHK survivability, installation, operations, and maintenance, this funding opportunity is expected to enable the cost-effective development of robust MHK technologies.

The funding opportunity includes two areas of interest:

  • Increasing survivability of wave energy converter systems, thus decreasing capital costs or extending their life spans.
  • Reducing uncertainty around the installation, operations, and maintenance of wave and current energy converters, thus decreasing their overall costs and increasing their ability to function over time.

Approximately six projects will be selected for funding.

Concept paper submission deadline is set for May 29, and the full application must be submitted by July 1, 2015.

US Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy accelerates development and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen US energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality.

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Image: US Department of Energy/Illustration