Congress Passes Bill Supporting Jones Act Enforcement in Offshore Wind
The U.S House of Representatives passed the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act (H.R. 4447) aiming to reform U.S. energy policy and authorize significant investment in the transition to greater use of low-carbon energy.The legislation, which addresses a wide range of energy topics and initiatives, includes an amendment by Congressman John Garamendi (D-Calif.) which would enforce Jones Act requirements for all offshore wind development, construction, production and servicing.The amendment clarifies that the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act…
Energy from the Ocean: The Ocean Thermal Energy Converter
Despite historic lows in traditional oil and gas energy markets, research and develoment continues in earnest on a number of projects designed to produce green energy. The latest, an Ocean Thermal Energy Converter (OTEC) from KRISO, received Approval in Principle from classification society Bureau Veritas. KRISO (Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean engineering), established in 1973, is a government-funded research institute in the Republic of Korea and the leader in technology development in ships and ocean engineering.
As Interest in LNG Surges, Regulators Struggle to Keep Pace
The use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a transportation fuel for ships, barges and ferries has surged in recent months. This surge is due, in large part, to the boon in the production of natural gas in the U.S.; new low sulfur rules for the North American Emission Control Area (ECA), which go into effect on January 1, 2015; and new technologies for the construction of engines capable of running on LNG. Regulatory regimes both in the U.S. and worldwide are struggling to keep pace with the tremendous growth of LNG as a fuel.
Renewable Energy Department at ClassNK
Chairman and President: Noboru Ueda of ClassNK announced the establishment of a new Renewable Energy Department. This new department which began operations on 1 October 2014 will oversee a diverse range of activities related to renewable energy, including audits and certification of new technologies. While ClassNK has previously provided certification for wind turbines, vast technological advances have made it possible to practically harness the power of alternative energy sources such as wave power, tidal power, and ocean thermal energy conversion. Given the enormous potential of the ocean as a source of energy and the ever-increasing demand for cleaner energy to mitigate climate change…
China-U.S. Ocean Thermal Energy Plant Development
Lockheed Martin and Reignwood Group to develop South China Sea ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) power plant. A memorandum of agreement between the two companies was signed recently in Beijing. Following the ceremony, both companies met with United States Secretary of State John Kerry during his first official state visit to the People’s Republic of China. The 10-megawatt offshore plant, to be designed by Lockheed Martin, will be the largest OTEC project developed to date, supplying 100 percent of the power needed for a green resort to be built by Reignwood Group.
Navy Seeks Renewable Ocean Energy Technology
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii – The Navy’s energy future was the focus of a two-day NAVFAC Conference and Industry Day, held March 26-28 at the Koa Malina Officers Club, Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Kaneohe Bay. The Navy, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, will select three ocean energy power developers to occupy Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) moorings at Kaneohe Bay. "The Navy is committed to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and is leading the way on the development of viable, renewable energy sources,” said NAVFAC Pacific Vice Commander Capt. Pete Lynch. “NAVFAC Pacific is working on ways to make the Navy’s shore infrastructure more energy independent and strengthen our energy security position. The ocean is an untapped resource and possible source of renewable energy.
ABS: Approval in Principle for Floating Renewable Energy Plant
ABS has issued its first Approval in Principle (AIP) for a new concept renewable energy design in which a moored spar uses ammonia in a closed-cycle process to produce electrical power for a commercial utility grid. Unlike wind, tidal or solar power the advanced design for this Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system can deliver constant output 24 hours a day. “This concept combines proven offshore principles with off-the-shelf power, technology and proprietary innovations, all assembled in a unique way,” says Ian Simpson, ABS Director of Offshore Technology and Business Development, Americas Division. Developed by OTEC International (OTI) LLC of Baltimore, Maryland, the approach converts liquid ammonia into gas in a heat exchanger using warm ocean surface water.
