DOE announced the availability of $3.5 million to support the development of technologies to monitor potential environmental impacts associated with MHK technologies (Environmental Stewardship for Renewable Energy Technologies: MHK Environmental and Resource Characterization Instrumentation). DOE will provide funds for the development and testing of sensors, instrumentation, or processing techniques to collect wave data for wave energy conversion devices. Grants will be awarded in three general topic areas: (1) MHK environmental software and instrumentation development; (2) the development and integration of instrumentation packages; and (3) certain wave measurement instrumentation. DOE will hold an informational webinar on March 20, 2014, and applicants must submit a concept paper by April 7, 2014 to be eligible to submit a full application. Full applications are due May 22, 2104.
In addition, DOE has made $6.5 million available for the creation of a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) Prize and is now accepting applications for a WEC Prize Administrator. The WEC Prize Administrator will collaborate with DOE, technical experts, and other stakeholders to develop and implement the WEC Prize competition. DOE intends for the WEC Prize to challenge individuals, universities, and existing and emerging companies to improve the performance and lower the cost of energy produced by WEC devices. DOE will hold an informational webinar on March 24, 2014, and applicants must submit a concept paper by April 7, 2014, in order to submit a full application. Full applications are due May 14, 2014.
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