WPTO uses metrics to accomplish a variety of objectives, including enabling consistent evaluation of device performance in marine energy. Defensible and relevant performance metrics are required specifically for project funding decisions (e.g. FOA evaluations & Go/No Go decision points), shorter duration targeted initiatives (e.g. prizes and SBIRs), and generally baselining program and industry progress. Recommendations from reviewers during the 2019 WPTO Peer Review included further developing the use and implementation of performance metrics across the marine energy portfolio to achieve program goals. The MHK program goals are to (1) reduce LCOE of devices harnessing energy from waves, tides, and currents (specifically, targeting an 80% reduction in the cost of energy for wave, tidal, and river energy technologies from modeled reference 2015 baselines by the year 2035), and (2) support near term opportunities for commercialization through Powering the Blue Economy (PBE) markets.
