PAUL JACOBSON: How can we tap the energy of the ocean?

Interview by David Biello

PAUL JACOBSON, program manager for waterpower, Electric Power Research Institute

To tap the energy of the ocean, engineers, environmental scientists and financiers must come together in creative ways to develop devices that can reliably capture and convert ocean energy in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner.  Financial resources are needed to conduct the research and development required to bring down the cost of electricity from emerging ocean energy technologies and to evaluate and mitigate potential adverse environmental effects of devices and projects. 

The novelty of ocean renewable energy devices results in substantial uncertainty regarding their environmental effects; thus, industry progress requires skillful risk management and cost containment of environmental review.

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