Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act of 2015

To promote research, development, and demonstration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act of 2015 2. Definition of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy Section 632 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17211 electrical 3. Marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy research and development Section 633 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17212 633. Marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy research and development The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, shall carry out a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to accelerate the introduction of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy production into the United States energy supply, giving priority to fostering accelerated research, development, and commercialization of technology, including— (1) to assist technology development to improve the components, processes, and systems used for power generation from marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy resources; (2) to establish critical testing infrastructure necessary— (A) to cost effectively and efficiently test and prove the efficacy of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy devices; and (B) to accelerate the technological readiness and commercialization of those devices; (3) to support efforts to increase the efficiency of energy conversion, lower the cost, increase the use, improve the reliability, and demonstrate the applicability of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies by participating in demonstration projects; (4) to investigate variability issues and the efficient and reliable integration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy with the utility grid; (5) to identify and study critical short- and long-term needs to create a sustainable marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy supply chain based in the United States; (6) to increase the reliability and survivability of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies; (7) to verify the performance, reliability, maintainability, and cost of new marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy device designs and system components in an operating environment; (8) to coordinate and avoid duplication of activities across programs of the Department and other applicable Federal agencies, including National Laboratories, and to coordinate public-private collaboration in all programs under this section; (9) to identify opportunities for joint research and development programs and development of economies of scale between— (A) marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies; and (B) other renewable energy and fossil energy programs, offshore oil and gas production activities, and activities of the Department of Defense; and (10) to support in-water technology development with international partners using existing cooperative procedures (including memoranda of understanding)— (A) to allow cooperative funding and other support of value to be exchanged and leveraged; and (B) to encourage international research centers and international companies to participate in the development of water technology in the United States and to encourage United States research centers and United States companies to participate in water technology projects abroad. . 4. National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers Section 634(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17213(b) (b) Purposes A Center (in coordination with the Department and National Laboratories) shall— (1) advance research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies; (2) support in-water testing and demonstration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, including facilities capable of testing— (A) marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems of various technology readiness levels and scales; (B) a variety of technologies in multiple test berths at a single location; and (C) arrays of technology devices; and (3) serve as information clearinghouses for the marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy industry by collecting and disseminating information on best practices in all areas relating to developing and managing marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy resources and energy systems. . 5. Authorization of appropriations Section 636 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17215 2008 through 2012 2016 through 2019

Summary: Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act of 2015 This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to revise and reauthorize through FY2019 the program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to expand marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy production. The program must give priority to fostering accelerated research, development, and commercialization of technology. The meaning of "marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy" is expanded to include all forms of energy, not just electricity, from: (1) waves, tides, and currents in oceans, estuaries, and tidal areas; (2) free flowing water in rivers, lakes, and streams; (3) free flowing water in man-made channels; and (4) differentials in ocean temperature (ocean thermal energy conversion). National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers must support in-water testing and demonstration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, including facilities capable of testing: (1) marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems of various technology readiness levels and scales, (2) a variety of technologies in multiple test berths at a single location, and (3) arrays of technology devices.