A Computer Tool to Control Co-Design Hydrokinetic Energy Systems

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Program:
SHARKS
Award:
$1,200,000
Location:
Golden, Colorado
Status:
ACTIVE
Project Term:
05/24/2021 - 08/17/2024
Website:

Technology Description:

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will expand its open-source Wind Energy with Integrated Servo-control (WEIS) toolbox to include control co-design capabilities of tidal and riverine hydrokinetic turbines. This new toolbox will enable the conception, design, simulation, and optimization of control co-designed hydrokinetic systems. The toolbox will facilitate innovation in the hydrokinetic turbine industry, allowing for less expensive and more reliable turbines. NREL will work with other SHARKS program participants to ensure the code being developed is valuable to hydrokinetic turbine designers.

Potential Impact:

Hydrokinetic energy is an abundant renewable energy source that presents unique opportunities and benefits.

Security:

Diverse renewable energy resources can boost grid resiliency and reduce infrastructure vulnerabilities.

Environment:

HKTs, used to capture energy from tides, rivers, canals, and ocean currents, optimize a clean, renewable power source that could help reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Economy:

Hydrokinetic energy has applications beyond solely providing power to electrical grids. It is ideally suited to the emerging technologies and markets built upon ocean- and riverine-based infrastructure, including climatological observation, aquaculture, desalination, ocean floor and seawater mining, disaster recovery, powering isolated communities, and autonomous underwater vehicle support.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Mario Garcia-Sanz
Project Contact:
Thanh Toan Tran
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
thanhtoan.tran@nrel.gov

Partners

Colorado State University

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Release Date:
04/09/2020