ARRA Funding for Ocean Energy Project in Windward Oahu

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November 23, 2009 -- HONOLULU, HI. - U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye announced today that Makai Ocean Engineering of Kailua, Oahu will receive a $149,993 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"Hawaii is the world's leader in ocean thermal energy conversion technology, and this Recovery Act grant funding will help test new techniques that could reduce costs and broaden the market for this promising technology," said Senator Akaka.

"We must continue to expand our use of renewable, sustainable sources of energy that take advantage of Hawaii's unique access to the ocean," said Senator Daniel K. Inouye. "These funds will help research needed to diminish our use of imported oil."

Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) produces energy by using the temperature difference between warm surface ocean water and cold deep ocean water that is pumped to the surface to run a power producing cycle. The Makai Ocean Engineering project will evaluate whether a mist lift open cycle process in a large OTEC plant can significantly lower OTEC costs.

Makai Ocean Engineering's OTEC project was one of 12 projects selected by the USDOE to receive a grant in the area of advanced water power technology development during this phase of funding. The company was competitively selected from a pool of 950 applicants through a special fast-track process with an emphasis on near-term commercialization and job creation. Companies that demonstrate successful results with their new technologies and show potential to meet market needs will be eligible for a second round of grants in the summer of 2010.

"Small businesses are drivers of innovation and are crucial to the development of a competitive clean energy U.S. economy," said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. "These investments will help ensure small businesses are able to compete in the clean energy economy, creating jobs and developing new technologies to help decrease carbon pollution and increase energy efficiency."

Source: Senator Daniel K. Akaka