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DOE OSTI2023

Public perceptions of wave energy development on the west coast of North America: Risks, benefits, and coastal attachment

While solar and wind energy continue to grow as significant sources of renewable energy, a global energy transition away from fossil fuels will require an expanding portfolio of generating resources. Marine renewable energy has the potential to contribute greatly in the coming decades, as the more predictable nature of wave energy can support the resiliency of the power grid and complement solar and inland wind generation. Yet, the broad deployment of marine energy technologies like wave energy will depend on public support, making it critical to identify the relevant factors associated with public attitudes and risk/benefit perceptions. This paper draws on social representations theory to specifically examine perceptions of wave energy on the west coast of North America, a site chosen because of the high suitability for wave energy generation and the fact that one of only three wave energy test sites in the world is under development off the coast of Oregon. Using an online survey in June 2020, we recruited a sample of 2000 respondents from California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. We found a majority of respondents held positive attitudes to wave energy, but respondents also had low familiarity – with a quarter of respondents lacking sufficient information to form an opinion. We used logistic regression to identify factors correlated with wave energy attitudes, finding that respondents who were more supportive of wind and solar energy, more optimistic about new technology, and reported more familiarity with wave energy were significantly more likely to have a positive impression of wave energy. Respondents with higher levels of place attachment to coastal areas were more split, as they perceived higher benefits of wave energy – but also higher risks. Our results indicate broad appeal of wave energy on the west coast, but we caution policymakers and developers to not take initial siting processes for granted. As experience has shown for offshore wind, broad appeal does not guarantee a smooth siting process in a local context. Furthermore, the role of place attachment to coastal areas must be taken seriously or risk alienating local communities.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2023

Static and Fatigue Characterization of Large Composite T-Bolt Connections in Marine Hygrothermal Environments

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites have been highlighted as ideal candidates for structural applications in marine renewable energy devices, such as tidal turbines and wave energy converters. It is well understood that harsh marine environments can cause strength degradation of composite laminates, which has been extensively researched at the coupon scale; however, no research has investigated how this translates into larger-scale composite structures. This paper presents a subcomponent-scale study which investigates the effects of hygrothermal aging and subsequent static and fatigue characterization of thick composite T-bolt connections as part of a large, multilaboratory materials research effort. Of the glass-reinforced epoxy and vinylester-epoxy matrix composites tested, both showed measurable static strength degradation (4–36%) after being hygrothermally aged, even though the composite specimens were only partially saturated with water. Under tension–tension fatigue loading, the epoxy specimens performed very well in their dry states but exhibited significant degradation after hygrothermal aging. In comparison, the vinylester-epoxy specimens had much shorter fatigue lives in their dry states but exhibited no degradation after hygrothermal aging. Overall, this research demonstrates that hygrothermal aging can have significant effects on the ultimate strengths and fatigue lives of even partially saturated thick composite T-bolt connections, indicating that degradation of the outer plies on thick composite laminates can have pronounced effects on the whole structure. It discusses the challenges of building an understanding of the effects of harsh marine environments in large-scale composite structures.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2021

Added Value for Integrated Marine Energy Data Systems (February 2021)

Launched in 2019, the Portal and Repository for Information on Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMRE) provides centralized access, standardization, community building, and integration of United States (U.S.) databases, tools and codes, and other resources that cover a range of marine energy information. The PRIMRE universe contains a series of Knowledge Hubs that represent data and information on testing of marine energy devices (MHKDR); environmental effects (Tethys); engineering and technical papers (Tethys Engineering); descriptions of marine energy companies and technologies (Marine Energy Projects Database); codes and models (Marine Energy Software); and guidance on testing and measurements (Telesto). Content is added to PRIMRE by applying a set of Guidelines and Best Practices (PRIMRE Guidelines). An aggregate search across the PRIMRE site enables users to find data and information from all the PRIMRE Knowledge Hubs simultaneously, using a single entry-point (PRIMRE Search). In addition to providing access to a range of data and information on marine energy development, testing, and effects, PRIMRE allows for the development of valueadded products and processes that will help move the marine energy industry forward. The PRIMRE team has recently launched two key initiatives in the U.S.-Signature Projects and Lessons Learned. Outputs and outcomes from these two initiatives will be highlighted in this paper. The Signature Projects initiative is intended to bring focus to a selection of ongoing and completed marine energy projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), and to inform the marine energy community of what investigations have been undertaken, what tools are available, and where gaps in information persist. Each Signature Project tags papers, reports, and data from large marine energy research projects, providing easy access and attention to all the output and associated products from each project. The Lessons Learned initiative is intended to ensure that hard-won achievements are recognized and available for those who come later, that missteps and unfortunate outcomes can be prevented in future, and that efficiencies and effective shortcuts can be publicized and used as the marine energy industry moves forward. This initiative builds off the Knowledge Hubs and reaches out to members of the marine energy community, particularly technology developers and researchers, to integrate experience in the development, deployment, assessment, success, challenges while creating this new industry and field of study.

data sharing↗

DOE OSTI2023

Investigating Marine Environmental Degradation Of Additive Manufacturing Materials For Renewable Energy Applications

Marine renewable energy is a relatively young industry where there is a great need for rapid prototyping in design-build-test campaigns to quickly mature ground-breaking technologies. Additive manufacturing has an important role to play in the industry; however, little information is available to marine energy developers to help inform them on which additive manufacturing materials are appropriate for harsh marine environments. This paper presents an initial study on the mechanical characterization of polymeric additive manufacturing materials and degradation effects due to the marine environment. Ultem 9085, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), and chopped carbon-filled Nylon, as well as continuous carbon and glass fiber reinforced Nylon were chosen for this study. Samples were manufactured to perform a variety of tension, shear, and compression mechanical characterization tests on the materials. Half of the samples were conditioned in Pacific Ocean water for approximately 6 months at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory before being returned for mechanical characterization. The mechanical testing results showed that the Ultem 9085 and ASA materials experienced little to no degradation in stiffness or strength after exposure to the marine environment. On the other hand, the Nylon-based materials suffered significant stiffness and strength degradation (over 50% in some cases) after environmental conditioning. Ultimately, these results should serve as starting points to allow marine renewable energy developers to make informed additive manufacturing material choices for their prototype deployments.

Murdy, Paul↗

DOE OSTI2022

WBS: 2.2.1.407 Flexible Wave Energy Converters (FlexWEC)

Using distributed embedded energy converters (DEECs) to create flexible ocean wave energy converters (flexWECs), could revolutionize how we conceptualize ocean wave energy conversion and how we view and evaluate ocean waves as a viable source of renewable energy. Nevertheless, flexWEC research and development is nascent in nature and needs greater understanding and evaluation of its potential. The overall goals of this project, therefore, are to understand the scientific and engineering merit of flexWECs and to assess how flexWECs could be best utilized to create effective and viable converters of marine renewable energy.

DEEC-Tec↗

DOE OSTI2023

Distributed Embedded Energy Converter Technologies (DEEC-Tec)

Distributed Embedded Energy Converter Technologies (also known as DEEC-Tec) is based upon the amalgamation and combining of numerous, relatively small, distributed embedded energy converters (DEECs) that, in aggregate, can form a larger overall energy harvesting-converting structure. Such DEEC-Tec based structures can be employed to harvest and convert marine renewable energy - e.g., ocean waves - into more desirable forms such as electricity. In this way, the DEEC-Tec hierarchy can be viewed via three different technology levels: (1) individual distributed embedded energy converters, (2) DEEC-Tec metamaterials (pseudo-materials made from the interconnection of many DEECs), and (3) DEEC-Tec-based marine energy converters built from DEEC-Tec metamaterials.

BFSF↗

DOE OSTI2021

Marine Energy to Hydrogen Analysis Project

2021 DOE HFTO Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting Poster covering NREL's work reviewing the current state of knowledge as related to marine renewable energy (MRE), hydrogen, and how those two technologies could be integrated for offshore and non-grid applications.

39 EE - Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies (EE-3F↗

DOE OSTI2024

Evaluating the Impact of Tidal Energy in the Cook Inlet on Alaska's Railbelt Electrical Grid

This report presents the findings of a case study that evaluates the impact of integrating significant tidal energy generation in the Cook Inlet in Alaska. The case study is part of a series within the "Quantifying the Grid Value of MRE [Marine Renewable Energy] in Early U.S. Markets" project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. This study takes a scenario-based approach to evaluate the tidal energy potential in the Cook Inlet, in which 100-500 megawatts (MW) of tidal energy are integrated into the grid under different infrastructure scenarios. These scenarios include increased energy storage and transmission line upgrades, a "Basecase" scenario with no additional upgrades, and a reference case with no tidal energy. We concluded that tidal energy at an installed capacity of 200-300 MW has the potential to reduce fuel costs in Alaska while also reducing carbon emissions and increasing the energy independence of the state. This analysis and the key findings should be viewed as a starting point for additional research and used to inform investment and policy options.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2021

Enabling Marine Energy Integration for Ocean Observing: Functional Requirements

Marine renewable energy (i.e., wave, tidal or ocean current, thermal gradient, and salinity gradient) or MRE can revolutionize ocean observing capabilities. Five use cases representing a range of ocean observing platforms were developed based on end-user feedback. Drawing from these use cases, common needs or functional requirements were developed to help guide the integration of MRE power delivery for ocean observation structures and functions. The functional requirements were determined from descriptions of the use cases, specifications of hardware that are used or closely associated with existing ocean observation platforms, and direct feedback from ocean observation sensor/platform developers and users. Twenty types of functional requirements were identified, including those associated with power and energy use; physical system requirements; temperature and depth; electrical, acoustic, and motion interference; and reliability. Each set of functional requirements is illustrated as features of the use cases. By defining functional requirements for MRE technology integration in ocean observing platforms, and focusing on end-user requirements, barriers to developing MRE-driven ocean observation missions can be reduced.

50 EE - Wind and Water Power Program - Water (EE-4↗

DOE OSTI2022

A feasibility assessment for co-locating and powering offshore aquaculture with wave energy in the United States

Offshore aquaculture and marine renewable energy (energy from waves, tides, currents, and ocean gradients) are two developing ocean-based industries. Aquaculture, an industry that has typically relied on diesel for power, is expected to grow globally, presenting an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by switching to renewable sources as it expands. As the industry moves further offshore and is situated in more energetic environments, the prospect to co-locate offshore aquaculture with wave energy increases. To improve understanding of this potential, a feasibility assessment was completed to estimate the energy needs and wave resource required to power offshore finfish aquaculture operations. The study found it is possible to power offshore aquaculture operations entirely with wave energy. A spatial analysis was then performed to assess the suitability of co-locating offshore finfish aquaculture and wave energy off California and Hawaii. Suitable locations were identified offshore of O’ahu, Hawaii, and northern California. Southern California was also assessed, using a lower wave resource, based on study areas evaluated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas, and while limited there are suitable locations that may warrant further evaluation. This study presents an analysis into the potential to pair wave energy with offshore aquaculture, and how various factors can help determine suitable areas for co-location. The analyses developed in this study will support future identification of potential sites for development and decision-making to optimize the success of co-locating wave energy resources and offshore finfish aquaculture.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2021

Distributed Embedded Energy Converters for Ocean Wave Energy Harvesting: Enabling a Domain of Transformative Flexible Technologies

Distributed embedded energy conversion technology (DEEC-Tec) is a very promising - but underdeveloped - domain in marine renewable energy research. The technology utilizes small distributed embedded energy converters (DEECs) that, in aggregate, form a much larger energy harvesting-converting structure. Each DEEC is a small transducer - an individual mechanism that converts one form of energy into another. A transducer's specific mode of operation can be based upon any number of physical phenomena, including variable capacitance, variable magnetic fields, or piezoelectrics. It is the dynamic deformation of a structure made from such DEECs (a DEEC-Tec structure) that provides the needed physical phenomena (the external energy source) for the underlying transducers to intake and convert energy into another form, such as electricity. DEEC-Tec structures designed specifically to dynamically deform in the presence of ocean wave energy - for the purpose of harvesting and converting that energy - can be called flexWECs. A flexWEC's gross shape (topology) and its compliant characteristics (morphologies) are chiefly determined by how the DEECs making up its structure are arranged and implemented. In turn, those corresponding topologies and morphologies will largely determine how a flexWEC interacts with - and dynamically deforms within - the presence of ocean wave energy. FlexWECs appear to have many attractive features, including broad-banded ocean energy conversion, in situ energy conversion throughout an entire flexWEC structure, inherent redundancy, and appealing material and manufacturing costs. To this end, the design and development of any particular flexWEC or flexWEC feature is a revolutionary opportunity for how we conceptualize and envision the future of ocean wave energy conversion.

DEEC↗

DOE OSTI2023

Quantifying conditional probabilities of fish-turbine encounters and impacts

Tidal turbines are one source of marine renewable energy but development of tidal power is hampered by uncertainties in fish-turbine interaction impacts. Current knowledge gaps exist in efforts to quantify risks, as empirical data and modeling studies have characterized components of fish approach and interaction with turbines, but a comprehensive model that quantifies conditional occurrence probabilities of fish approaching and then interacting with a turbine in sequential steps is lacking. We combined empirical acoustic density measurements of Pacific herring ( Clupea pallasii ) and when data limited, published probabilities in an impact probability model that includes approach, entrainment, interactions, and avoidance of fish with axial or cross-flow tidal turbines. Interaction impacts include fish collisions with stationary turbine components, blade strikes by rotating blades, and/or a collision followed by a blade strike. Impact probabilities for collision followed by a blade strike were lowest with estimates ranging from 0.0000242 to 0.0678, and highest for blade strike ranging from 0.000261 to 0.40. Maximum probabilities occurred for a cross-flow turbine at night with no active or passive avoidance. Estimates were lowest when probabilities were conditional on sequential events, and when active and passive avoidance was included for an axial-flow turbine during the day. As expected, conditional probabilities were typically lower than analogous independent events and literature values. Estimating impact probabilities for Pacific herring in Admiralty Inlet, Washington, United States for two device types illustrates utilization of existing data and simultaneously identifies data gaps needed to fully calculate empirical-based probabilities for any site-species combination.

collision risk↗

DOE OSTI2021

Distributed Embedded Energy Converters for Ocean Wave Energy Harvesting: Enabling a Domain of Transformative Technologies: Preprint

50 EE - Wind and Water Power Program - Water (EE-4↗

DOE OSTI2024

Hydrokinetic tidal energy resource assessment following international electrotechnical commission guidelines

Marine renewable energy can be used as a viable energy source to alleviate the impact of the climate crisis and have a carbon-free electricity sector in the future. Especially the energetic tidal streams are an attractive source of clean energy due to the periodic occurrence of high tidal flows daily. However, before any deployment of tidal turbine farms, it is essential to perform a resource assessment depending on the scope and scale of the project. Here, the International Electrotechnical Commission has developed a technical standard for assessing the tidal stream resource "IEC 62600-201 TS" to aid in this effort: determine a particular site's feasibility and perform the project layout design. In this study, we implemented and validated a high-resolution three-dimensional numerical model and provided results following the IEC TS for a project layout design in a highly energetic tidal channel, Tacoma Narrows of Puget Sound, in the State of Washington, USA. Implementation of the guidelines has helped adequately identify the undisturbed theoretical and technical resources with less bias, where the latter included energy extraction from the flow field arranging a hypothetical tidal energy converter (TEC) array. Also, following the standard, we carefully assessed the changes to channel flow properties from TECs, such as the kinetic energy flux and annual energy production (AEP), to provide the detailed information required for a larger project layout design. Ultimately, this work has shown the important role of IEC TS in tidal stream resource assessment, which can simultaneously act as a benchmark for other studies worldwide.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Hygrothermal Aging and Thermomechanical Characterization of As-Manufactured Tidal Turbine Blade Composites

This study investigates the hygrothermal aging behavior and thermomechanical properties of as-manufactured glass fiber-reinforced epoxy and thermoplastic composite tidal turbine blades. The blades were previously deployed in a marine environment and subsequently analyzed through a comprehensive suite of material characterization techniques, including hygrothermal aging, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile testing and X-ray computed tomography (XCT). Hygrothermal aging experiments revealed that while thermoplastic composites exhibited lower overall water absorption (0.78% vs. 0.47%), they had significantly higher diffusion coefficients than epoxy (2.1 vs. 12.1 × 10 −13 m 2 s −1 ), suggesting faster saturation in operational environments. DMA results demonstrated that water ingress caused plasticization in epoxy matrices, reducing the glass transition temperature and increasing damping (112 °C to 104 °C), while thermoplastic composites showed more stable thermal behavior (87 °C glass transition temperature). Tensile testing revealed substantial reductions in ultimate strength (>40%) for both materials after prolonged water exposure, with minimal change in elastic modulus, highlighting the role of matrix degradation over fiber reinforcement. XCT image analysis showed that both composites were manufactured with high quality: no large voids or cracks were present, and the degree of misalignment was low. These findings inform future marine renewable energy composite designs by emphasizing the critical influence of moisture on long-term structural integrity and the need for optimized material systems in harsh marine environments. This work provides a rare real-world comparison of epoxy and recyclable thermoplastic tidal turbine blades, showing how laboratory aging tests and advanced imaging reveal the influence of material and manufacturing choices on long-term marine durability.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2025

Testing and Expertise for Marine Energy (TEAMER) Program Support: MRE Dynamic Seals Performance Investigation (CRADA Final Report)

This TEAMER project allows NREL to use and augment a custom special-purpose testing system to perform accelerated-life testing of rotating seals for use in the Marine Renewable Energy (“MRE”) industry. The requirements of this industry are different from most applications including marine, and relevant performance information is lacking. In order to achieve low costs with extremely effective and reliable operation over long periods deployed underwater, more study of the best seals and arrangements of seals must be performed. By developing a rigorous framework for such testing, NREL hopes to greatly improve understanding of the relevant factors and provide significant data to the industry. Further, this work can inform standards developments for this critical component of MRE systems, leading to maturation and improved acceptance of the industry in commerce.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2023

Investigating Marine Environmental Degradation of Additive Manufacturing Materials for Renewable Energy Applications: Preprint

Marine renewable energy is a relatively young industry where there is a great need for rapid prototyping in design-build-test campaigns to quickly mature groundbreaking technologies. Additive manufacturing has an important role to play in the industry; however, little information is available to marine energy developers to help inform them on which additive manufacturing materials are appropriate for harsh marine environments. This paper presents an initial study on the mechanical characterization of polymeric additive manufacturing materials and the degradation effects of marine environments. Ultem 9085, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, and chopped carbon-filled nylon, as well as continuous carbon and glass fiber-reinforced nylon were chosen for this study. Samples were manufactured to perform a variety of tension, shear, and compression mechanical characterization tests on the materials. Half of the samples were conditioned in Pacific Ocean water for approximately 6 months at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Marine Sciences Laboratory before being returned for mechanical characterization. The mechanical testing results showed that the Ultem 9085 and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate materials experienced little to no degradation in stiffness or strength after exposure to the marine environment. On the other hand, the nylon-based materials suffered significant stiffness and strength degradation (over 50% in some cases) after environmental conditioning. Ultimately, these data sets should serve as starting points to allow marine renewable energy developers to make informed additive manufacturing material choices for their prototype deployments.

additive manufacturing↗

DOE OSTI2023

Hardware-in-the-Loop Efficiency Analysis of Tidal Power Systems

Marine renewable energy presents an opportunity for sustainable power in areas located near and in the marine environment. In particular, tidal energy offers a consistent and reliable resource. However, tidal energy harvesting systems seeking to take advantage of this resource face challenges associated with power electronics. Power conversion electronics struggle with low efficiencies, lack of off-the-shelf options for small-scale energy harvesting systems, and limited opportunities for testing with deployed turbines. This work demonstrates a hardware-in-the-loop experimental design and methodology for characterizing efficiency of tidal turbine power electronics and control methods. The suggested method removes barriers to testing these power electronics by eliminating the need for a physical tidal turbine and generator to produce accurate harvested tidal power profiles.

tidal turbine, hardware-in-the-loop, energy conver↗