The Case for Significant and Sustained Ocean Renewable Funding1
Responsible commercialization of ocean renewable technologies including wave, tidal, current,
ocean thermal, and free-flowing fresh water, like all commercial energy technologies that are
working today, requires significant federal and state support. There are 81 technologies being
researched worldwide with approximately 20 technologies being investigated in the United States.
The key to bringing these technologies on-line is a systematic approach to research and
development—an integrated program that tests proof of concept, efficiency, survivability,
environmental effects, and structural design.
The most important Research and Development needs of this industry involve getting projects into
the water and conducting environmental monitoring and testing.
The number of technologies being proposed for capturing the power of marine and kinetic hydro
resources continues to grow and the United States needs a method for evaluating these technologies
and supporting those with the potential to contribute to our electric supply portfolio.
These activities include:
a) Resource Modeling
b) Device modeling
c) Experimental Testing
d) Moorings & Sea bed attachments
e) Electrical Infrastructure
f) Power Take Off and Control
g) Engineering Design
h) Lifecycle & Manufacturing
i) Installation, Operations & Maintenance
j) Environmental Studies
k) Standards
l) System Simulation
In order to meet the aggressive renewable energy goals established by the current administration,
ocean renewable technologies need the full authorization provide by Congress in EISA 2007.
1 This document has benefited greatly from work performed by Dr. Markus Mueller and Henry Jeffrey at the School
of Engineering and Electronics of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland in their development of the UKERC
Marine (Wave and Tidal Current) Renewable Energy Technology Roadmap. The Ocean R