New Report Depicts Potential Benefits of Marine Energy to the Grid

DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy sent this bulletin at 12/22/2021 03:15 PM EST

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Water Power Technologies Office

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December 22, 2021

Banner announcing the newsletter name "The Water Column" with an image of the ocean at sunset behind it.

Welcome to The Water Column, a monthly snapshot of marine energy news and happenings. This month’s newsletter takes approximately 5 minutes to read. Let’s dive in!

Reach out to us at WaterPowerTechnologiesOffice@ee.doe.gov with any inquiries or suggestions.
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Did You Know?

Because water is denser than air, a marine energy device can produce more power than a wind turbine with the same rotor diameter and rotor speed.

Follow along on the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)’s Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook channels for more #WaterWednesday content each week.

Upcoming Deadlines

  • The deadline for letters of intent is Jan. 3, 2022, and the deadline for applications is Feb. 22, 2022, for the latest round of funding for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
  • The deadline to submit applications for Phase One of the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize is Feb. 25, 2022.

Announcements & Opportunities

PNNL and NREL Release New Report on the Grid Value Proposition of Marine Energy: Research from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed the Grid Value Proposition of Marine Energy report. This report indicates that marine energy can provide important benefits to the grid in the form of energy, capacity, and reserves, as well as baseload power that strengthens the use of energy storage systems while complementing less predictable renewable generation. A strategy targeting these benefits can become central to industry efforts to reduce costs, grow to scale, and be key to the nation’s grid modernization priorities.

Products & Publications

Subscribe button for the NREL Water Power newsletter.

NREL Launches New Water Power Newsletter: Stay updated on the latest and most important water power research, innovation, and insights from NREL. Subscribe to the new NREL Water Power Newsletter. Important headlines, highlights, and research in marine energy, hydropower, and integrated water systems will be shared in a digestible format.

New PNNL Article Details Importance of Microgrids: A newly published article from PNNL examines the impact microgrids have on overall grid resiliency. Further, researchers found that resilient, hyper-local microgrids provide economic value, if designed with the right mix of power sources. Using the Hawaiian island of Moloka’i as a case study, researchers predicted what would happen if existing diesel generators were swapped with marine energy as the island seeks to meet renewable energy goals while maintaining reliability. Read the article to learn more.

In Case You Missed It

Infrastructure Bill Catalyzes DOE’s Clean Energy Advancement: On Nov. 16, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill into law, providing a vital investment into our nation’s infrastructure and clean energy landscape. The law provides $62 billion in funding for DOE, including nearly $1 billion for hydropower and marine energy programs under WPTO. Read DOE’s fact sheet to unpack the law’s key implications for DOE and learn how it will help the United States continue to efficiently provide clean, reliable energy to the grid.

Sandia National Laboratories Hosts Webinar on FOSWEC Digital Twin Technology: Sandia National Laboratories recently hosted a webinar to discuss the floating oscillating surge wave energy converter (FOSWEC) digital twin. By prototyping the control systems and commands with the FOSWEC digital twin, researchers can transition to hardware testing in a wave tank facility more easily. Watch the recording of the webinar to learn more.

Start Today: Interested Applicants Prepare for Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project: DOE and NREL recently announced their intent to launch the second application program for the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP). Check to see if you fit the eligibility criteria by visiting the ETIPP application webpage.

WPTO Webinar Explores SBIR/STTR Program Topics: WPTO recently hosted a webinar to dive into the water power-focused topics/subtopics in the Fiscal Year 2022 SBIR and STTR programs. To learn more, view the slides from the webinar.

TEAMER Open Water Testing Support Now Available: The Testing Expertise and Access for Marine Energy Research (TEAMER) program is now offering open water testing at either an approved test facility or at the site of the project team’s choice with help from a TEAMER partner. Visit the TEAMER website for more information on the network’s open water facilities and open water testing capabilities.

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 six-month trial of an autonomous, portable wave energy converter, the SeaRAY. The device will use the ocean’s waves to produce clean energy while simultaneously mapping the vastly unexplored ocean, unleashing an opportunity for sea life discovery. Watch the video.

Upcoming Events

White House Spotlights Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize 

Jan. 12, 2021, 3 p.m. ET
Register today

Recently, the White House recognized the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize and its contribution to the Justice40 Initiative. WPTO, along with seven other offices within EERE and the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity launched the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize. By funding up to 10 organizations or groups for activities related to climate and clean energy that support, build trust, and strengthen relationships and partnerships with disadvantaged communities, the $2.5 million prize is helping advance energy justice by working toward an equitable energy future. Join the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize team on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 3 p.m. ET, for an informational webinar. Be sure to register in advance!

WPTO In the News

Marine Mentions