Welcome to WaRP, NHA’s new Waterpower Research Portal.

This project will design, execute modifications and upgrades the existing infrastructures at Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) to accommodate 1) shakedown testing of marine energy (ME) systems (task 1), and 2) structural testing of belt and rope components used in ME systems (task 2). Once complete, the shakedown testing facility will function as a crucial shakedown test site for developers at a high TRLs prior to at-sea deployments. The Sandia Lake facility will target shakedown testing to reduce the risk and cost of at-sea deployments. The belt and rope testing facility will enable short- and long-term structural testing to understand the mechanical properties and technical limitations of not only belt and rope materials, but also the stitching or clamping at the end of the belt or rope, which is known as a potential weak link in a previous study. The facility will help determine the reliability and maintenance requirement of belt and rope components, and thereby reduce the risk of at-sea deployments

The project goal is to reduce uncertainty in using composites for commercial MHK designs by investigating their performance, potential for manufacture, and providing validated composites resources to industry. A 2015 MHK Composites Workshop identified that industry requires a better understanding of composite materials & structural performance properties related to MHK conditions; they also need validated MHK resources (database & best practices handbook) they can trust to guide development. This led to our Phase I Proposal: Material Design Tools for Marine Hydrokinetic Composite Structures. In 2020, the Materials and Manufacturing Strategy for Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Technologies Research & Development was developed and identified the next level of composites materials research and key gap areas.

The overall project objective is to make assessments (using coupons & substructures) and then provide a descriptive resource of materials properties and solutions that address the prioritized needs of the industry.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) will collaborate with the Atlantic Marine Energy Center (AMEC) university consortium under FOA-2234, primarily in an advisory capacity, on the major objectives of Topic Area 2: establishing the AMEC, operating modern test facilities, and conducting marine energy research. The project will be focused on providing support to help establish and operate AMEC as a university-led consortium to address the ongoing needs for research and development (R&D) and testing to advance marine renewable energy (MRE) technologies towards commercialization, and to develop Powering the Blue Economy (PBE).