Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Readiness Advancement Initiative – DOE is investing in marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) technologies. The opportunity to harness energy from waves, tides, currents, and ocean thermal gradients represents a promising, largely untapped resource that can produce predictable baseload renewable energy that is within close proximity to loads. The mission of DOE’s Water Power Program is to perform and sponsor the necessary research, development, test, evaluation, and demonstration of innovative water power technologies, in order to effectively generate renewable, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective electricity from MHK resources. It is the intent of this FOA to advance the technical and operational readiness of marine and hydrokinetic systems and components across a range of TRLs, with the unified goal of accelerating the development and deployment of these technologies to provide a domestic source of clean, affordable energy that is both economical and ecologically responsible. This FOA seeks applications in the following Topic Areas: Topic Area 1: MHK Technologies Concept Development; and Topic Area 2: MHK Technology Readiness Level Advancement. Funding will be made available in each Topic Area for the advancement of both MHK “systems” and “components” as defined below. MHK Systems: For the purposes of this announcement, a system is defined as a complete device that is capable of capturing and converting hydrokinetic energy (wave, current, or tidal) with the purpose of generating electricity for the grid, either via a single unit or configured in an array. Integrated ocean thermal systems will not be funded under this announcement. All necessary components should be conceptualized, designed, and integrated. These components may include, but not limited, to: nacelle, hydrodynamic, buoys, power-train, power take-off, mooring, and foundation. MHK Component: For the purposes of this announcement, a component is defined as a sub-system of an MHK system that is optimized for an existing MHK system, or has the potential for cross-cutting multiple MHK systems. DOE is also interested in components that maximize commonality across existing and/or future MHK systems. Components may address marine and hydrokinetic energy (wave, current, tidal, and ocean thermal). Examples include optimized rotors, generators, drive-trains, power take-off devices. Total Funding: $15.36M. Eligibility: Industry. Application Due Date: June 7, 2010.
Posted Date: April 20, 2010
Funding Opportunity Announcement Number: DE-FOA-0000293