OCEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY ENGINEERING + TECHNOLOGY

A RESOURCE HUB FOR OFFSHORE WIND, WAVE, CURRENT + TIDAL TECHNOLOGIES

Through rapid advancement in technology, the U.S. is gaining strength as a leader in ocean renewable energy. As the blue economy grows, new technologies are being developed to harness our nation’s abundant energy resources, including current, tidal, wind and wave energy.

Explore new and developing ocean engineering and technology, maps, and news below.

National Sea Grant Offshore Wind Energy Liaison Initiative

July 2023 BOEM Meetings with Fishing Community

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is seeking feedback and on-the-water knowledge from the Gulf of Maine fishing community to inform draft Wind Energy Areas. The in-person meetings in MA, ME, and NH will provide an opportunity to: meet with the BOEM team, learn about the data BOEM has received, and share feedback on how the spatial model is incorporating that data. >>Learn more

Massachusetts Meeting: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 5:30pm – 8pm (Register)
Plymouth North High School Cafeteria, 41 Obery St, Plymouth, MA

SURVEY

Offshore Renewable Energy Stakeholder Needs Survey: We are seeking stakeholder focus areas and feedback for topics from coastal resilience to grid development.

Offshore Wind Energy

Offshore wind resources are abundant, stronger, and more consistent than land-based wind. Data suggests 2,000+ gigawatts could be accessed in U.S. waters. >> More

Wave Power

Ocean waves contain tremendous energy. The annual energy potential of waves off U.S. coasts is estimated to be equivalent to 66% of U.S. 2020 electricity generation. >> More

Current + Tidal Energy

The gravitational pull of the moon and sun, along with earth’s rotation, create tides that cause near-shore water levels to rise and fall up to 40 ft. >> More (tidal) + (current)

CONNECT

Please use the form below to contact Rob Vincent or connect with the Sea Grant Ocean Renewable Energy Team.

VIEW CONTACT FORM

ENGINEERING + TECHNOLOGIES

US EIA | Harnessing Wave Energy

Many methods and technologies for capturing and converting wave energy are under development, including placing devices on or just below the surface of the water and anchoring devices to the ocean floor. Explore more here.

OPEN ENERGY INFORMATION | Marine Energy Technologies

Explore OpenEI’s Marine Energy Technology Types page, which explores current, wave and various methods of harnessing marine energy, including cross-flow turbines and oscillating hydrofoils.

IMPACT | Wave Energy Converters

IMPACT is a collaborative research and innovation project which aims to develop and demonstrate a next-generation testing approach for Wave Energy Converters with partners in Ireland, Italy, Norway, and Portugal.

US DOE | Wind Turbine Engineering

How do wind turbines work? A turbine turns wind energy into electricity using aerodynamic force from rotor blades, which work like an airplane wing or helicopter blade. Watch this animation to learn the basics.

WIND + WATER ENERGY MAPS

US DOE | Water Power Technologies Project Map

Water power technologies project map: The U.S. DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office leads innovation with strategic investments in early-stage research and technology development for hydropower and marine energy.

NORTHEAST OCEAN DATA | Energy and Infrastructure Map

Interactive Energy and Infrastructure map: Explore Northeast offshore wind projects and locations of proposed and existing energy facilities and transmission infrastructure areas at various stages of planning, review, permitting, and operation.

NATIONAL SEA GRANT | Offshore Wind Energy Liaison Initiative

Where is offshore wind energy being developed in the Northeast? While the Offshore Wind Energy Liaison is a national position, the Initiative will focus first on the northeast, which is experiencing rapid and expansive offshore wind energy development.

RESEARCH + DEVELOPMENT CENTERS/INSTITUTES

BOEM | Renewable Energy on the Outer Continental Shelf

BOEM is responsible for offshore renewable energy development in Federal waters, including offshore wind and ocean wave and current energy.

MASSCEC | Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

MassCEC’s Offshore Wind strategy centers on accelerating the responsible development of offshore wind projects and increasing the role of Massachusetts companies, institutions, and workers in the offshore wind industry.

MIT | Center for Ocean Engineering

MIT and the Center for Ocean Engineering is at the forefront of ocean science and engineering, with significant efforts in fluid mechanics and hydrodynamics, acoustics, offshore mechanics, marine robotics and sensors, and ocean sensing and forecasting.

NREL | Marine Energy Research

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) research, development, and economic analyses help drive and empower the development of the marine energy industry. At NREL, scientists and engineers advance wave energy and tidal, ocean, and river current energy technologies.

OPEN ENERGY INFORMATION | Marine Energy Database

OpenEI’s Marine Renewable Energy Projects Database provides information on marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy projects, devices, technologies, and organizations in the U.S. and around the world.

PMEC | Pacific Marine Energy Center

PMEC is a consortium of universities focused on the responsible advancement of marine renewable energy by expanding scientific understanding, engaging stakeholders, and educating students. PMEC serves as an objective voice in marine energy, including wave, tidal, riverine, and offshore wind resources.

SEA GRANT + DOE + NEFSC | Regional Ocean Renewable Energy

The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Water Power Technologies Office, funded six projects to advance social science and technology research on ocean renewable energy.

Graphic with a map of the U.S. Northeast, a wave, and three icons representing renewable energy, a fishing boat, and a community network. The text reads,

SINTEF | Energy Research

SINTEF Energy Research is an institute for applied research dedicated to create innovative energy solutions. Our focus areas contribute towards the transition to, and achievement of, future, sustainable, energy systems, including hydropower and offshore wind.

TEXAS A&M U | Renewable Energy Research

The ocean and offshore environment represent an abundant source of renewable energy. Engineers must create technologies such as wave-energy converters and wind turbines capable of harnessing power and withstanding the harsh environment of the sea. Explore research at Texas A&M.

UNH | Center for Ocean Renewable Energy

The Center for Ocean Renewable Energy at the University of New Hampshire provides multiple-scale research, technology development, and evaluation, education, and outreach related to Ocean Renewable Energy systems with open-water test sites for tidal energy conversion.

NEWS RESOURCES

NEWS | Hydro Review

Hydro Review is the trusted voice connecting the global market with an unparalleled volume and distribution of market-related solutions, news and insights, with a project focus area in marine energy.

NEWS | Marine Energy

Marine Energy News is a news platform connecting the maritime and offshore world for sustainable solutions.

NEWS | Ocean Energy Europe

Ocean Energy Europe is the voice of the ocean energy sector in Europe and the largest network of ocean energy professionals in the world, and features international industry news.

NEWS | MIT Energy Initiative

Explore offshore wind news from MIT Energy Initiative, including: Evaluating battery revenues for offshore wind farms using advanced modeling.