DOE and Portugal to Cooperate on Wave Energy

May 27, 2008

Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman and Portuguese Economy Minister Manuel Pinho signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on May 27 that establishes a framework for collaboration on the policy, scientific, and technical aspects of wave energy generation. The MOU outlines specific areas of cooperation in wave energy technologies, including the exchange of technical personnel; evaluations of demonstration projects; and environmental testing and modeling. DOE also invited representatives of the Portuguese government to visit DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory to explore further opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Pelamis Wave Power, Ltd. (formerly known as Ocean Power Delivery) has built a 2.25-megawatt wave power plant off the northern coast of Portugal and is currently commissioning the facility, which will be the world's first commercial wave power plant. See the DOE press release and the Pelamis Web site.