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Follow along on the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)’s Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook channels for more water power content each week.
Upcoming Deadlines
Announcements & Opportunities
Start Today: Interested Applicants Prepare for Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced intent to launch the second application program for the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP). Remote, island, and islanded communities interested in applying to ETIPP can take preliminary steps now to prepare for the January 2022 application release. Prospective applicants who experience challenges related to frequent energy disruptions, threats to energy infrastructure from natural hazards, and high energy costs are encouraged to review eligibility criteria on the ETIPP application webpage and contact an ETIPP regional partner with questions on eligibility and the application process.
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TEAMER Network Director Announces RFTS 4 Technical Support Recipients: The TEAMER program, sponsored by DOE and directed by the Pacific Ocean Energy Trust, selected nine projects through its fourth RFTS for testing expertise; access to numerical modeling, lab testing, and tank/flume testing; and expertise within the growing facility network. Chosen applicants, along with the supported facility, will now submit their completed test plans, which is required before assistance activities can commence. As a reminder, applications for the fifth RFTS are due by Dec. 16, 2021. Visit the TEAMER website for more information and to sign up for email updates about the program.
Products & Publications
North to the Future: WPTO Helps Alaskan Partners Pursue a Renewable Future With Water Power: WPTO is helping Alaskans tap a massive renewable energy source rushing through their state: water. Throughout 2021, WPTO and partners invested in several marine energy and hydropower projects in Alaska, working closely with community members to learn how to best serve their energy needs while respecting their culture.
New Animated Videos Show Marine Energy’s Potential for Remote Communities: A new series of animation videos are available. The videos describe different types of ocean power and hydrokinetic technologies and how they can benefit remote and coastal communities. Designed to educate the future clean energy workforce, the series was created by NREL, Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, and industry partners with support from WPTO. Visit the marine energy science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) portal for more educational resources specific to marine energy, and check out these fun videos:
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The Wonder of Wave Gliders
- Clean Water From Ocean Waves
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The Power of a River
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The Promise of Offshore Wind.
Moving Water Could Replace Diesel Energy in Remote Communities: A collaborative project between Idaho National Laboratory researchers, the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, and XENDEE Corporation is looking at the feasibility of enabling microgrids to integrate power from tidal or wave energy sources along with other renewables and energy storage. The study will also use an innovative commercial tool suite for rapidly assessing how the combination of renewable energy sources could meet local energy needs via the microgrid.
SeaRAY Could Power Offshore Work and Help Protect Oceans With Energy From Ocean Waves: With funding from WPTO, C-Power and Saab are partnering on a 6-month trial of an autonomous, portable wave energy converter (the SeaRAY), which will use the motion of the ocean’s waves to produce clean energy while simultaneously mapping the vastly unexplored ocean, unleashing an opportunity for sea life discovery. The clean energy produced can potentially power offshore fish farms, desalination devices, and assist in disaster-recovery situations. Watch the video.
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Upcoming Events
Dec. 7, 2021, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. ET
Register today
Join WPTO to learn more about the water power-focused topics/subtopics in the Nov. 8, 2021, webinar regarding the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs release. Questions may be sent to WaterPowerTechnologiesOffice@ee.doe.gov prior to the webinar.
Dec. 8, 2021, 4 p.m. ET
Register today
From Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Rady School of Management, startBlue is an accelerator that supports the formation of advanced science and engineering startups tackling ocean-focused challenges and solutions integrated with science, industry, investment, and government networks. Hear from and learn more about the eight teams of startBlue Cohort 1, what they’ve been working on for the past 3 months, and what they’re planning to accomplish by the end of the program. Pick the four teams you most want to meet in a breakout room for more detailed conversation and get the chance to ask them questions.
In Case You Missed It
Infrastructure Bill Catalyzes Department’s Clean Energy Advancement: On Nov. 16, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, providing a vital investment into our nation’s infrastructure and clean energy landscape. The bill outlines $62 billion in funding for DOE, including nearly $1 billion for hydropower and marine energy programs under WPTO. Read the bill’s fact sheet to unpack its key implications for DOE and learn how the bill will help the United States continue to efficiently provide clean, reliable energy to the grid.
TEAMER Open-Water Testing Support Now Available: TEAMER is now offering open-water testing at either an approved test facility or at the site of the project team’s choice utilizing a TEAMER Open Water Capability. Visit the TEAMER website for more information on open water facilities and open water testing capabilities.
National STEM Day—WPTO Style: For this year’s National STEM Day on Nov. 8, 2021, WPTO celebrated by releasing an article calling on today’s youth to consider a career in STEM. Read the article to learn about the exciting opportunities WPTO provides to encourage more people to learn about water power and dive into STEM-related careers.
WPTO Awards Nearly $10 Million To Build Atlantic Marine Energy Center: WPTO recently announced they would provide $9.7 million to establish the new Atlantic Marine Energy Center, led by the University of New Hampshire in partnership with several East Coast universities. After concluding project scope negotiations, the University of New Hampshire announced the new center, which will focus on research and development to address ongoing needs for sustainable renewable ocean energy. It will be one of only four national marine renewable energy centers in the country.
DOE Discusses Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize With Federal News Network: Rukmani Vijayaraghavan, the innovation and market transformation advisor for WPTO, recently sat down with Federal News Network’s podcast, “Federal Drive With Tom Temin,” to chat about DOE’s new Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize. Listen to the full interview to learn more.
DOE Student Undergraduate Laboratory Intern Perspective: PNNL’s Triton Initiative features Christa Hvidsten, a Student Undergraduate Laboratory Internship program participant whose internship focused on detecting and characterizing baleen whale vocalization activity near the future PacWave test site in Newport, Oregon.
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WPTO in the News
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Enthusiasm Swells For Tidal Energy Project After Summer Study, KDLL-FM, Sabine Poux, 11/17/21
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Feds Promote Arctic Energy Innovation, Juneau Empire, Peter Segall, 11/17/21
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Biden Administration Launches Series on Arctic Energy, Associated Press, Becky Bohrer, 11/17/21
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The Energy Department Directs a Prize Challenge to Historically Underserved Groups, Federal News Network, "Federal Drive With Tom Temin,” Tom Temin, 11/5/21
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UNH-led “Blue Economy” Project Receives Nearly $10M Federal Grant, New Hampshire Business Review, Jeff Feingold, 11/4/21
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Blue-Energy Company Uses the Power of Waves To Create a Greener Future, Redshift, 11/3/21
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Stony Brook Scientists Research Renewable Ocean Energy, Long Island Business News, Adina Genn, 11/3/21
Marine Mentions
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Harnessing The Power of the Tides in Scotland, CleanTechnica, Steve Hanley, 11/15/21
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These Companies Are Using Oceans and Rivers To Generate Electricity, Cable News Network, Rishi Iyengar, 11/11/21
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Floating Tidal Turbines Are Exporting Clean Energy to the Grid, Intelligent Living, Luana Steffen, 11/12/21
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Orkney: Turning the Tides to Renewables, Powering Engineering International, Pamela Largue, 11/10/21
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Harnessing the Energy of the Ocean To Power Homes, Planes and Whisky Distilleries, The Washington Post, William Booth, 11/9/21
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Marine Energy Developers Appeal for ‘Same Opportunity’ as Other Renewables, Energy Voice, 11/3/21
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Tidal Stream Power Can Generate 11% of UK’s Electricity Demand and Aid Drive for Net-Zero, California News Times, 11/2/21
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Climate Change: Tidal Energy Projects Ignored, Say Supporters, British Broadcasting Company, Dafydd Evans, 10/28/21
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$2.35B Tidal Lagoon Project With Underwater Turbines Planned for UK, Consumer News and Business Channel, Anmar Frangoul, 10/26/21
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Is Tidal Energy the Surge Remote Coastal Communities Need?, National Observer, Rochelle Baker, 10/25/21
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Wave. Offshore Wind. Geothermal. Are These the Next Power Resources for San Diego County?, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Rob Nikolewski, 10/20/21
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