Researching The Wave: U.S. Commits $5 Million to Research Ocean Renewables

In a joint effort, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have committed US$5 million to further research Ocean renewable energy. 

This announcement comes a year and half after the Obama Administration cut US$10 million to wave energy's research and development budget.

According to the press release, in an effort to support the siting and permitting marine technologies such as offshore wind energy, and ocean energy generated from waves, tides, currents and thermal gradient flows, the government will disperse funding to eight projects:

• Bayesian Integration for Marine Spatial Planning and Renewable Energy Siting: $499,000 (over two years).
   
• Characterization & Potential Impacts of Noise Producing Construction & Operation Activities on the Outer Continental Shelf:  $499,000 (over three years).
   
• Developing Environmental Protocols and Modeling Tools to Support Ocean Renewable Energy and Stewardship:  $745,000 (over two years).
   
• Evaluating Acoustic Technologies to Monitor Aquatic Organisms at Renewable Sites: $746,000 (over two years).
   
• Protocols for Baseline Studies and Monitoring for Ocean Renewable Energy: $499,000 (over two years).
   
• Renewable Energy Visual Evaluations: $497,000 (over three years).
   
• Technology Roadmap for Cost Effective, Spatial Resource Assessments for Offshore Renewable Energy: $748,000 (over two years)

"Our partnership with fellow federal agencies will help to streamline the responsible deployment of offshore renewable energy technologies that will create U.S. jobs while improving America's energy security," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Image Credit: rachel_thecat via Flickr.