Marine & Hydrokinetic Research

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), in partnership with the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), other DOE laboratories, academic institutions, and industry developers, is involved in a number of research and development activities supporting DOE's Water Power Program mission, "... to research, test, and develop innovative technologies capable of generating renewable, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective electricity from water resources."

This web site highlights ORNL's research and development activities related to marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy technologies. These activities and products help developers advance their marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) technologies to commercialization and help all stakeholders understand and resolve environmental issues.

MHK technologies produce renewable electricity by converting the kinetic energy in waves and water currents. Research and development is needed to determine the recoverable kinetic energy resource, demonstrate the viability and performance of MHK technologies, and reduce cost of MHK-generated electricity. Both the environmental effects and the technical performance of these technologies are being evaluated through ORNL research.

For information on the DOE's water power program, including MHK and conventional hydropower, and the important contribution of water power to a clean and secure energy future, refer to the EERE web site: http://water.energy.gov


Open-Centre Turbine (Courtesy of OpenHydro Group Ltd.)	Free Flow System Turbine (Courtesy of Verdant Power, Inc.)