Projects funded under the CEC AOI, will support efforts to develop CEC technologies that can responsibly and cost-effectively harness the Nation’s riverine resources, leading to improved resiliency and diversity of the Nation’s energy generation system. CEC technologies may ultimately be easier and more cost effective to deploy in the many regions of the United States, especially in remote locations, that lack robust port infrastructure and vessel availability. But there are many technical challenges remaining before these potential opportunities can be realized. The DOE Reference Model Report identifies deployment (moorings, power cables, and device installation), operations and maintenance as the most important cost drivers for CECs, while suggesting that improving other components, such as rotors and drivetrains does not provide as much cost savings potential. WPTO has previously supported R&D projects that have developed and tested components, control strategies, and generator technologies, and one CEC system prototype project. However, today’s CEC systems still require potentially complicated installation, operation, and maintenance (IO&M) strategies. Successful projects will expand the number and geographic diversity of locations where CEC technologies are commercially viable, while simultaneously advancing the state of CEC technologies. Further, the CEC AOI requires the development and use of modular system designs, enabling CEC projects to be easily optimized for a wide range of deployment locations and electricity load needs. CEC AOI projects will design, fabricate, and open-water test modular CEC river system that incorporate and advance IO&M techniques which require only limited use of port and vessel infrastructure.
