SNEEF: Current and Future State of Marine Renewable Energy in MA

“The current and Future State of Marine Renewable Energy” will be the topic at the next Southern New England Entrepreneurs Forum (SNEEF) on Thursday, November 10, 5:30 p.m., UMass Dartmouth Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, 151 Martine Street, Fall River. 

John Miller, Executive Director of the Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative (MREC), will discuss the importance of developing clean, renewable energy from the ocean waters of New England how that will drive innovation and creation of jobs in the Commonwealth. John spoke at a recent Cape Cod Tech Council First Friday Breakfast on energy generation from tidal turbines in the Cape Cod Canal.

MREC is collaborating with local communities to develop tidal power test sites. Working with Edgartown and several universities, MREC is developing a tidal power test site in the waters between Martha’s Vineyard and Muskeget Island, and another test site is being set up in the Cape Cod Canal.  Developers need a place to test their turbines, but it is expensive to do so in open water offshore.  These test sites can offer a convenient and cost-effective testing alternative.  MREC is a nonprofit dedicated to developing ocean renewable energy.

The potential for tidal power is great, but the engineering and economics have a long way to go, especially in the U.S.  Massachusetts has a cluster of world class marine science and engineering organizations, many of them located on the Cape, that have set the standard for global ocean innovation.

Cost is $20 in advance, $25 at the door, including a dinner.  Become an annual SNEEF member for only $75 and attend free.  The SNEEF program is open to the public.  Register at www.sneef.org.