3 rd International Conference on Ocean Energy, 6 October, Bilbao 1 Accelerating Ocean Energy to the Marketplace – Environmental Research at the U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories A. Copping 1 , G. Cada 2 , J. Roberts 3 and M. Bevelhimer 2 1 Marine Sciences Laboratory Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Seattle WA, USA Email: andrea.copping@pnl.gov 2 Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN, USA Email: cadagf@ornl.gov Email: bevelhimerms@ornl.gov 3 Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque NM, USA Email: jdrober@sandia.gov Abstract The U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) has mobilized its National Laboratories to address the broad range of environmental effects of ocean and river energy development. The National Laboratories are using a risk-based approach to set priorities among environmental effects, and to direct research activities. Case studies will be constructed to determine the most significant environmental effects of ocean energy harvest for tidal systems in temperate estuaries, for wave energy installations in temperate coastal areas, wave installations in sub-tropical waters, and riverine energy installations in large rivers. In addition, the National Laboratories are investigating the effects of energy removal from waves, tides and river currents using numerical modelling studies. Laboratory and field research is also underway to understand the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), acoustic noise, toxicity from anti-biofouling coatings, effects on benthic habitats, and physical interactions with tidal and wave devices on marine and freshwater organisms and ecosystems. Outreach and interactions with stakeholders allow the National Laboratories to understand and mitigate for use conflicts and to provide useful information for marine spatial planning at the national and regional level. Keywords: environmental effects of ocean energy; marine and hydrokinetic energy; siting and permitting; U.S. National Laboratories. 1. Introduction The potential to harvest energy from the movement of waves, tides, ocean currents and rivers (i.e. marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy) becomes increasingly attractive as a constituent of the renewable energy portfolio of many nations. In addition to significant technical challenges, the future of MHK as a significant and reliable energy source faces challenges that include financial investment in uncertain economic times and potential conflicts with current ocean uses such as navigation and commercial fishing. However the barrier most often cited is the uncertainty of siting and permitting MHK devices and arrays due to environmental concerns (1). Regulatory standards in the United States for protecting marine systems and animals, particularly under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, are particularly stringent (2). Providing regulatory confidence and allaying stakeholder concerns are likely to play a prominent role in getting pilot and demonstration projects in the water. The US DOE has directed its National Laboratories to determine the effects of MHK devices and arrays on marine systems and marine animals. This paper will describe the studies underway to predict the most