201 



Third, we will complete the design and initiate the construction 

 of a subscale model of the DAM-ATOLL device, for tests in a wave 

 tank. 



Fourth, depending on the repsonses to the wave energy solicita- 

 tion I just mentioned, we hope to begin the evaluation of one or 

 more new wave power concepts. 



Lastly, we will complete the systems analysis for generic ma- 

 chines to allow for detailed comparisons between technologies. 



The budget for the wave energy program in fiscal year 1979 was 

 $581,000; in 1980, $935,000; and we estimate $1,190,000 for fiscal 

 year 1981. 



Turning to ocean current energy research, there are several 

 areas in the world where large, sustained ocean currents exist. It is 

 the intent of our program to assess and, where appropriate, demon- 

 strate devices which can extract energy from the velocity of ocean 

 currents. 



The largest ocean current within the U.S. jurisdiction is the Gulf 

 Stream as it flows through the Florida Straits. The maximum total 

 power of this resource is estimated to be about 10,000 megawatts. 

 However, potential adverse climatic impacts could limit the actual 

 power which could be extracted in an environmentally benign 

 manner to about 1,000 megawatts. 



Currently, the department is analyzing and testing two selected 

 ocean current devices which have been proposed. The first shown 

 here is a large ocean turbine. Its original design being analyzed 

 was for an 80-megawatt device. Its dimensions were some 360 feet 

 long and 560 feet in diameter. A large number of such devices 

 would have to be deployed to realize the full potential of the 

 resource in the Florida Straits. 



There are technical questions on the amount of power that can 

 be achieved by optimum hydrodynamic design, low cost structural 

 designs, and maximum current and storm survivability. Mooring 

 and electric cable transmission are also questions that must be 

 addressed with this technology, and will be in the coming fiscal 

 year. 



Another approach that we are looking at is the multiple drogue 

 chute concept in which the current is used to drag, if you like, a 

 series of parachute-like devices that turn a continuous conveyor 

 belt. We have no detailed economic evaluation on this concept, and 

 we are awaiting a final report to assist in determining the role it 

 will have in the future of the DOE ocean energy program. 



There are environmental concerns in ocean current energy as 

 well, and some of them that we are reviewing are listed here. The 

 concerns that are associated with global scale climate and Gulf 

 Stream currents are difficult to determine accurately. There are 

 many diverse oceanographic theories on the fate of the Gulf 

 Stream in the North Atlantic, and an informal exchange with 

 oceanographers, both at Scripps and Woods Hole, indicates that 

 there is a very low probability of significant impact on ocean 

 circulation and on weather if the power extracted from the Florida 

 Straits is less than 1,000 megawatts. 



However, a definitive answer to this question requires an exten- 

 sive analytical program supported by ocean data. 



