Video: Ongoing Wave Energy Prize WECs testing

US Department of Energy has released a video update on the final wave energy testing for its Wave Energy Prize challenge.

The total of nine finalist teams will test their 1:20 scale wave energy devices at the US Navy’s Maneuvering and Seakeeping (MASK) Basin at Naval Surface Warfare Center in Carderock, Maryland, throughout September, and October.

The final team, SEWEC, is scheduled to test its wave energy device from October 3 to 7, 2016.

The MASK Basin is 360 feet long and 240 feet wide facility that holds approximately 12 million gallons of water and is used to evaluate the maneuverability, stability and control of scale models.

José Zayas, Director at Wind & Water Power Technologies Office, said: “We’ve seen some remarkable technologies that all have different attributes and value propositions, and we may actually find more than one team that really meets the requirements of the Department, and that’s what’s really exciting.”

The team that ranks the highest after testing the 1:20 scaled WEC device model will be awarded $1.5 million. The second team will win an award in the amount of $500,000, and the third-placed tam will be awarded $250,000.

The winner(s) of the Wave Energy Prize challenge will be announced on November 16, 2016.