Wave Energy Prize News - September 2016

Testing Update; Featured Press Coverage; Question of the Month

Water Power Technologies Office

September 28, 2016

Table of Contents

  • Testing Update
  • Featured Press Coverage
  • Question of the Month

Testing Update

1/20th-scale WEC prototypes in the Navy’s Maneuvering and Seakeeping (MASK) Basin, at Carderock, Md

Ever since registering more than a year ago for the Wave Energy Prize, our teams have eagerly anticipated the opportunity to test their 1/20th-scale WEC prototypes in the Navy’s Maneuvering and Seakeeping (MASK) Basin, at Carderock, Md. In a building with a footprint of more than five acres, what developer wouldn’t be giddy with excitement to test a new technology in the nation’s premier wave-making facility containing more than 12 million gallons of fresh water?

The beginning of August marked the beginning of the final round testing, and some of our Finalist Teams have already completed their 1/20th scale model tests in the MASK Basin. Others are still awaiting their turn. M3 Wave was first in the tank, followed by Waveswing America, Harvest Wave Energy (Team FLAPPER), AquaHarmonics, CalWave Power Technologies, Oscilla Power and Sea Potential. RTI Wave Power is testing its prototype this week, and SEWEC is onsite building its device.

"Watching our Finalist Teams’ WEC concepts come to life at the MASK Basin has been a thrill," said Alison LaBonte, Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Program Manager in DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office. “We’re looking forward to the Judges’ analyses of the nine weeks of testing and learning how many and which technologies surpassed our goal of doubling the energy capture efficiency of wave energy converters."

Featured Press Clip

Is blue the new green? Wave power could revolutionize the renewable-energy game 
Salon, Sat 27 Aug 2016

Question of the Month

Q: Does DOE anticipate issuing any additional funding opportunities related to wave energy in the near future?

A: The Water Power Technologies Office has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement to construct a national wave energy test facility inside U.S. federal or state waters. To support the full-scale testing of MHK wave energy devices, up to $40 million in funding will be provided to fund development and construction activities for a grid-connected wave test facility capable of independently and simultaneously testing at least three wave energy devices.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the full notice of intent posted to EERE Exchange to learn more.