The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently released a searchable database providing up-to-date information on marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy in the United States and around the world, including Australia.
The database includes wave, current, and ocean thermal energy conversion technologies and allows the user to search based on a number of criteria including geographical location, resource type and technology stage or project status. Companies included in the database were asked to provide information on their respective technologies and projects.
Details on a project’s size, dimensions and even an interactive GPS mapping feature that allows the user to pinpoint certain project locations worldwide are easily accessible.
The marine and hydrokinetic industry is currently present in approximately 28 countries, with most companies based in the United Kingdom and the United States. The Australian companies listed are BioPower Systems Pty Ltd, Oceanlinx (formerly Energetech), SeaPower Pacific, Tidal Energy Pty Ltd., and Woodshed Technologies Ltd.
For those new to marine and hydrokinetic technology, a glossary featuring standard definitions applicable to wave, current, and ocean thermal energy is available, plus further educational material is also available on the site that school teachers may find useful when teaching students about marine hydro power. Materials on the EERE web site are in the public domain, but the EERE just requests that it be acknowledged as the source in any subsequent use of its information.
