WPTO Celebrates National Ocean Month

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Water Power Technologies Office

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June 22, 2022

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 will take approximately six minutes to read. 

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

Icon of marine energy.

Did You Know?

Marine energy includes ocean power—and more! Marine energy can be created in the ocean, but it can also be generated from waves, tides, and currents in estuaries and tidal areas; free flowing water in rivers, lakes, streams, and man-made channels; and changes in water salinity, pressure, or water temperature.

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


Upcoming Deadlines


Announcements & Opportunities

Water flowing quickly down the river with trees on either side.

DOE Announces 2022 MECC Winners: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced the winners of the 2022 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC). Webb Institute emerged as the overall winner in this third annual competition while Oregon State University and the University of New Hampshire took second and third place, respectively. Learn about the other winners and the teams selected for the 2023 MECC. 

Applications Open for Next Round of TEAMER Technical Support: The TEAMER program is accepting applications for its next request for technical support (RFTS 7) through July 16, 2022. Sponsored by the Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) and directed by the Pacific Ocean Energy Trust, TEAMER offers marine energy stakeholders and developers access to the nation’s best facilities and expertise to support marine renewable energy testing and development projects.

TEAMER Announces Latest Round of Technical Support: The TEAMER program recently announced ten projects that will receive technical support through the growing TEAMER Facility Network. These projects will now have access to testing expertise as well as to numerical modeling, laboratory or bench testing, and tank or flume testing and expertise.


Upcoming Events

Peer Review logo.

Marine Energy Program Peer Review

July 18–22, 2022, Online

The Marine Energy Program Peer Review will evaluate WPTO-funded marine energy projects based on their contribution to the office’s mission and goals, track progress against stated objectives, and assess the office's overall management and performance. The Peer Review process allows external stakeholders to provide feedback and recommendations to accelerate industry development in water power technologies. This input informs decision making, enhances active project management, and may modify or expand existing projects. The Marine Energy Program Peer Review will be virtual and open to the public.

2022 UMERC & METS Marine Energy Research Conference

September 13–14, 2022, Portland, Oregon

The University Marine Energy Research Community (UMERC) and Marine Energy Technology Symposium (METS) are jointly sponsoring a marine energy research conference in Portland, Oregon, Sept. 13–14, 2022. This event will provide a venue where technical experts can present marine energy research that helps accelerate sustainable technology development. The conference will be held in conjunction with the Ocean Renewable Energy Conference Sept. 14–15, 2022. Register for the event.


Products & Publications

For World Ocean Day, Here’s What Ocean Energy Can Do for Our Economy—Our Blue Economy, To Be Exact: In honor of World Ocean Day, WPTO Director Jennifer Garson wrote about the power and potential of the oceans and WPTO’s important research exploring ways to harness this resource while supporting coastal communities and protecting the environment. Read the article to learn more.

International Standards Are More Important (and Interesting) Than Most People Think: The International Electrotechnical Commission’s committee on marine energy standards is creating a blueprint for developing safe and successful technologies. The group recently released a Strategic Business Plan that provides globally approved standards for future marine energy devices based on input from about 200 experts from 29 countries. This plan addresses several challenges the marine energy industry is working to overcome, including biofouling (wildlife accumulation on devices submerged in rivers and oceans). These standards mark an exciting turning point for the blossoming marine energy industry. 

WPTO Joins Marine Mammal Science Podcast: Listen to Heather Spence, WPTO marine and science advisor, as she chats with host Ashley Scarlett about renewable energy in the marine environment. The duo also discuss the importance of environmental monitoring to preserve ecosystems as marine energy technology continues to advance. 


In Case You Missed It

Sea Grant, DOE, and NOAA Fisheries Fund Six Projects to Advance Social Science and Technology Research on Offshore Renewable Energy: The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, DOE’s WPTO and Wind Energy Technologies Office, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northeast Fisheries Science Center recently announced more than $1.1 million in federal funds for projects that will advance research on the coexistence of ocean renewable energy—including wind, current, tidal, and wave energies—with fishing and coastal communities in the Northeast United States.

DOE Awards $3.6 Million to Projects Supporting Diversity in Clean Energy Innovation: DOE recently awarded $3.6 million to 18 projects supporting justice and inclusion in clean energy innovation through the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize, a competition designed to create a more inclusive and just innovation ecosystem for clean energy technologies. Learn more about the selected projects, which are helping develop the next wave of diverse clean energy business owners, executives and workforce that are creating bottom-up solutions for sustainable development. 

DOE and WPTO Award $2.6 Million to Small Business-Led Water Power Projects: As part of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, WPTO selected 13 water power projects, eight of which are marine energy focused, that can help spur water-power-focused innovation across the United States. 


WPTO in the News


Marine Mentions