US Department of Energy seeks views on MHK program strategy

 
US Department of Energy (DoE) is seeking input from stakeholders on a draft marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) program strategy.

The Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) at the US DoE is developing an MHK program strategy to guide efforts in tackling barriers to the commercialization and deployment of promising MHK technologies.

WPTO states that given the currently high costs for early stage MHK technologies, the majority of efforts will be directed toward supporting technology cost reduction activities from now until 2030.

The program has identified two strategic goals to accelerate the development of the sector which include reducing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by 80% compared to the 2015 baseline LCOE values for wave (0.84 $/kW-h) and current (0.58 $/kW-h) technologies by 2030.

Also, the program is looking to enable the industry to rapidly increase MHK technology deployments by supporting research and stakeholder outreach activities to reduce deployment barriers and to accelerate project permitting processes.

The draft strategy builds on stakeholder input received during a public meeting on April 27, 2016, and an earlier request for information. Stakeholders are asked to provide input on whether they are supportive of the MHK Program strategy and what areas of the strategy are of particular importance to them.

“With more than 50% of the US population living within 50 miles of coastlines, America has the potential to advance a new technology and develop an energy industry that will encourage job growth, domestic manufacturing, and seaport revitalization,” WPTO states.

Industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders are encouraged to provide ideas for improvement to increase the effect of the strategy.

The deadline for submitting responses to the proposed draft strategy is set for February 28, 2017.