Survey and Comparisons of Innovative Alternate Concepts for Offshore Renewable Energy

Abstract The USA has ambitious targets for 100% carbon-pollution free electricity by 2035 and net zero carbon-dioxide emissions by 2050. To achieve these targets while minimizing additional allocations of land with other competing potential uses, it is strategically vital to increase implementation of offshore innovations in an overall renewable systems portfolio. With the USA having the World’s largest offshore Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of around 12 million square kilometers and access to the variety of strong renewable energy sources contained in the EEZ, offshore renewables can unquestionably enable achievement of the ambitious 2035 and 2050 strategic targets. Identification and accelerated development of the most promising innovations across all categories of offshore renewable energy is of great importance. This paper presents a survey of innovative alternate concepts for offshore renewable energy – spanning offshore wind; offshore solar; tidal wave energy; and hybrid energy. Qualitative advantages and challenges of a wide variety of offshore renewable energy harvesting innovations are summarized. Quantitative trends are also discussed, with a focus on measures of merit such as weight per rated power, capital cost per rated power, lifecycle cost of energy (LCOE), and energy harvest potential per offshore water lease area. The findings presented here are intended to help steer researchers and industry towards Research & Development (R&D) and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) advancements that support the development of an optimized portfolio of offshore renewable technologies with excellent potential to very cost-effectively serve US and global energy needs. A key goal of our survey & comparisons is to provide conclusions and recommendations that enable an American roadmap to a global innovation leadership position in offshore renewables technology and systems. Ensuing benefits should encompass environmental benefits, climate change mitigation benefits, land use minimization benefits, economic benefits and large-scale job creation benefits.