Verónica Castro-AllendeIntroduction
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated $15.5 million to two innovative marine energy projects aimed at harnessing the power of tides and river currents. These projects, focused on developing estuary and river-based energy resources, aim to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for the country. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm emphasizes the potential of marine energy to provide rural and isolated communities with reliable power while reducing dependence on carbon-intensive energy sources. The funding includes investments in tidal energy projects and community-led river current energy initiatives, demonstrating the government’s commitment to advancing technology for clean energy generation and promoting energy independence. These projects represent significant steps towards achieving the US goal of a fully renewable energy grid.
The US Department of Energy ( DOE ) has announced that two cutting-edge marine energy projects will receive funding totaling $15.5 million.
By utilizing the US’s marine energy potential, these projects, which place an emphasis on developing estuary and river existing energy resources, hope to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for the country.
According to the DOE, tides and currents offer a steady source of energy that can help balance another alternative sources and create an energy grid that is completely decarbonized.
With marine energy, we can sustainably harness the power of the ocean and rivers, providing rural and isolated communities with clear, credible power, according to US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.
The projects that were unveiled today are among the largest investments made by the federal government to advance technology for capturing energy from ocean tides and river currents, aid in the decarbonization of the nation’s hard-to-reach southern communities, and boost their energy independence and resilience by using more locally produced energy.
Plans to promote coastal energy in the US
Details of the first stage of a$ 35 million investment in tidal energy projects from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law were included in the announcement.
A critical step toward professional viability, this phase aims to move from one device testing to array testing. To create tidal energy research, development, and demonstration pilot sites, two projects were chosen and will each receive$ 6 million.
Tidal energy turbine from OPALCO
A tidal energy turbine will be installed in the Rosario Strait as part of this project, which is being led by Orcas Power and Light Cooperative ( OPALCO ) in Washington State.
OPALCO hopes to create a dependable and long-lasting regional power supply for San Juan Islanders. It is anticipated to produce about two megawatts of power.
Tidal energy devices from ORPC
Two coastal energy devices will be deployed by ORPC, based in Portland, Maine, off the coast of the isolated region of East Foreland in Cook Inlet in Alaska.
These devices, which have a one to five megawatt power production capacity, are designed to show that coastal energy projects in the area are feasible.
Both projects will evaluate potential sites and create detailed strategies encompassing licensing, environmental surveillance, site safety, commercialization plans, stakeholder involvement, community advantages, procurement strategies, and technology vetting and validation during the first competitive phase, which is anticipated to last for a year.
The submission of necessary license and permit applications to governmental bodies will mark the end of this phase. The DOE will designate one project to advance through the following four phases after the initial phase is finished, with the possibility of securing an more$ 29 million in funding.
Testing and functional deployment of the tidal energy technology will be included in these later phases.
Empowering regional communities with river energy
A $9.5 million investment in a community-led river current energy project was also announced by the DOE.
The Yukon River and Alaska Native communities are the targets of this initiative, which is being led by the Alaska Center for Energy and Power at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The goal of the project is to identify and create technology suitable for these communities, removing obstacles to the creation of hydrokinetic energy projects based on rivers.
The DOE’s funding is a major step in the direction of achieving the United States ‘ objective of an entirely fresh energy grid.
