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FAU receives DOE grant to explore offshore ocean current energy near Palm Beach
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FAU receives DOE grant to explore offshore ocean current energy near Palm Beach
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 30, 2024

Imagine the potential of tapping into ocean currents for clean, renewable energy along Southeast Florida's coast. Florida Atlantic University's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC) has been granted $800,000 by the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office to advance ocean energy technologies toward commercial readiness.

In partnership with The City of Lake Worth Beach Electric Utility, 3U Technologies, 48 North Solutions, IDOM Incorporated, Braid Theory, and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), SNMREC is launching a major feasibility study to create an ocean current testing site offshore of Palm Beach County. This groundbreaking effort will be the first of its kind, involving marine energy experts and resources from around the globe.

"The Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy's vision for a blue energy hub in Southeast Florida represents a significant step forward in renewable energy technology," said Gregg Fields, Ph.D., FAU's vice president for research. "By establishing a dedicated test facility, we hope to pave the way for a future where ocean currents become a key player in our clean energy landscape. With our strong marine energy industry connections and the expertise of our partners, the region is poised to become a global leader in ocean current energy innovation."

The initiative aims to bolster U.S. competitiveness in marine energy, boost domestic manufacturing, and create jobs, aligning with national energy targets. SNMREC is set to foster a "blue energy" industry cluster in Southeast Florida that spans every aspect of large-scale ocean current energy projects - from turbine development to marine services - building on its role in the ClimateReady Tech Hub and the Marine Research Hub.

No dedicated ocean current testing sites exist worldwide, though certain areas may hold potential. North Carolina is the only other U.S. location where the Gulf Stream nears the coast, but it lacks optimal conditions. Facilities for tidal and wave energy testing have been active for decades.

"Southeast Florida is ideal for ocean current energy projects not only because of its favorable ocean current conditions but also due to several supportive socio-economic factors," said Gabriel Alsenas, principal investigator and SNMREC director at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. "Major ports, such as the Port of Palm Beach and Port Everglades, straddle SNMREC's proposed test site offshore Palm Beach County to provide excellent access. Local utilities such as the City of Lake Worth Beach's municipal utility and Florida Power and Light offer essential grid connections and support for a clean energy transition. Additionally, SNMREC has a strong network and extensive experience assisting current energy conversion technologies developers at various stages, further enhancing the region's attractiveness for these projects."

Ocean energy derived from waves, currents, and gradients could enable coastal areas to achieve energy independence. To be viable at a utility scale, marine energy must be abundant, reliable, and consistent. In the U.S., open ocean currents like the Florida Current, which flows near shore and major populations due to the Bahamian Shelf, offer these characteristics, making it a promising source for energy generation. The primary challenge lies in developing efficient, reliable, and cost-effective technologies to harness this power.

The project will evaluate the viability of a grid-connected offshore test site in the Florida Current, ensuring that these technologies integrate safely and economically. SNMREC's approach prioritizes establishing an early grid connection, compatibility with diverse marine energy technologies, phased construction to manage risks, regional economic opportunities, and stakeholder engagement.

"Before any marine energy project can succeed, it's crucial to ensure that all aspects of the project can be integrated safely and economically at full scale, which is only possible with a dedicated offshore test facility connected to the grid," said Alsenas. "Testing prototypes in real-world conditions helps refine technology, confirm performance, and reduce technical and financial risks before projects can be scaled for widespread use."

SNMREC will lead the project, managing technical deliverables, requirements, risks, and cost assessments in collaboration with the DOE. The City of Lake Worth Beach will focus on grid compatibility, 3U Technologies will handle submarine system specifications, IDOM will address shoreside facility requirements, 48 North will develop regulatory plans, Braid Theory will conduct economic impact studies, and EMEC will lend its expertise from similar projects, such as PacWave.

"A cutting-edge South Florida offshore test facility will serve as a critical proving ground for technologies designed to generate electricity from ocean currents," said James Sullivan, Ph.D., executive director of FAU Harbor Branch. "But it's not just about testing turbines. The project aims to address all aspects of developing large-scale ocean current energy projects - including the marine environment, increasing our understanding of our region's coastal habitats."

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