January 26 (Renewables Now) - The US Department of Energy (DoE) on Tuesday announced USD 25 million (EUR 22.2m) in funding to back eight projects aimed at accelerating the commercial viability of wave power technologies through research, development and demonstration.

The projects will constitute the first round of open-water testing at the PacWave South test site off the coast of Oregon. DoE is partnering with Oregon State University to build the test facility, construction of which started on June 1, 2021. The testing site should be operational by 2023. It will be the US’ first accredited, grid-connected, pre-permitted, open-water wave energy test facility.

Two of the selected projects focus on testing wave energy converter designs for remote areas or small grids. These projects are led respectively by CalWave Power Technologies Inc, which has been awarded USD 7.5 million, and Columbia Power Technologies Inc, which will receive about USD 4.2 million.

A further two, led by Dehlsen Associates LLC and Oscilla Power Inc, will focus on developing wave energy converter designs for generating off-grid or grid-connected power.

A third category of four projects will conduct research and development related to environmental monitoring technologies, systems to control wave energy converters and other technologies. Funds have been awarded to Portland State University, University of Washington, Integral Consulting and Littoral Power Systems Inc.

The awards come under a funding opportunity of DoE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO).

(USD 1 = EUR 0.887)

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