US research program opens applications for 15th call for marine energy projects

The Testing Expertise and Access for Marine Energy Research (TEAMER) program, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and directed by the Pacific Ocean Energy Trust (POET), has opened its 15th request for technical support (RFTS).

Through the latest call, TEAMER is offering marine energy technology developers and researchers the opportunity to collaborate with leading facilities to advance their projects. 

TEAMER’s RFTS provides access to a network of facilities equipped for numerical modeling, laboratory and bench testing, tank and basin trials, as well as open-water evaluations. These facilities will partner with selected applicants to provide technical support, making sure project research and development goals are met.

The TEAMER program runs three application rounds annually. For the current round, applicants are encouraged to start preparing proposals and contact potential partner facilities in advance to ensure the technical objectives align with the capabilities of the chosen testing site, TEAMER noted.

Only TEAMER-approved facilities are eligible to provide technical support, ensuring high-quality, reliable testing environments for developers. Applications for the 15th round are due by February 7, 2025.

With the recent closure of RFTS 14, TEAMER reported 34 applications under review.  According to the U.S. program, the review process is rigorous and focuses on matching the applicants’ technical needs with the appropriate support, ensuring optimal outcomes.

In June, the U.S.-based program added the Bourne Tidal Test Site (BTTS) as its newest open-water testing facility. The site is located in the seven-meter-deep waters of the Cape Cod Canal in Massachusetts, which experiences flows exceeding 1.5 meters per second. The grid-connected platform allows open-water testing of prototype tidal devices up to three meters.