This course presents an overview of ocean energy technology as a source of renewable energy for U.S. Federal sites. It investigates ocean energy resources and new technologies under development to capture that energy. A brief history of the technologies is presented, as well as each technology’s commercial market development status. Benefits and barriers to research and development are also examined along with various devices currently being validated in the field. This course is based on the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy document, “Ocean Energy Technology Overview,” July, 2009.

Learning Objectives

• Types of ocean energy: wave, tidal and marine current, tidal potential energy, and ocean thermal energy conversion
• Total energy resources available for each type
• Energy conversion technologies for each type
• Benefits of each type
• Current projects