A collection of different wave energy converter (WEC) designs by different developers around the world. (Collage by Rachael Gallodoro | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
Marine energy harnesses the power of many ocean phenomena, including tides, currents, thermal gradients, and waves. Wave energy has the potential to significantly contribute to the nation's energy needs. What exactly is wave energy? In “Triton Explains,” we take a deep dive into wave energy–how it works, why we research it, and how Triton is helping get wave energy devices into U.S. waters. Read more.
Triton News
Triton Celebrates International Day of the Seal
On March 22, people from around the world show their appreciation for marine mammals, specifically seals, by raising awareness of their importance to marine ecosystems. Through efforts like the Marine Wildlife Detection and Tracking project and the team’s underwater noise field trials, Triton’s research aims to improve environmental monitoring technologies to better understand the potential impacts of marine energy devices on marine life, including seals!
Triton Featured in WPTO 2021-2022 Accomplishments Report
Triton researcher Lenaig Hemery and team preparing a 360-degree camera for deployment to monitor changes in habitat as part of Triton Field Trials research in La Jolla, CA. (Photo by Alicia Amerson | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) recently released its 2021–2022 Accomplishments Report. This report highlights WPTO’s work with partners across the country to advance hydropower and marine energy technologies to help realize our collective ability to contribute to a carbon-free power sector by 2035 and a net-zero emissions economy by 2050 in the United States. Triton is among the more than 40 projects featured. The report highlights the Triton Field Trials, a large-scale project to provide environmental monitoring recommendations to the marine energy industry following dedicated field work to evaluate the methodology, instrumentation, and stressor related research. The culmination of these efforts were published in a 10 article special issue in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. Read the feature.
ICES Fisheries and Plankton Acoustics Symposium
The fisheries and plankton acoustics community convened on March 27–30 at the ICES Fisheries and Plankton Acoustics Symposium in Portland, Maine. This year’s theme ‘From Echosounders to the Cloud: Transforming Acoustic Data to Information’ focused on the overnight rise of “big data” in terms of the evolution of integrating multiple data streams, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning, to facilitate the exchange of information between scientists and engineers who develop acoustic instrumentation and collect data. Triton team member Garrett Staines attended. This marked the 50th anniversary of the symposium. For more information, visit the conference home page.
In Other News
Join us! Marine Energy Careers Panel
Researchers conducting marine energy field work in Sequim Bay near Pacific Northwest National Laboratory-Sequim campus. (Photo by Shanon Dell | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
Are you interested working to help build a clean energy future? Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory invite you to join an informational webinar featuring National Laboratory staff working to advance the Marine Energy on Monday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m. PT or 6 p.m. ET. Staff across various research disciplines will discuss their waterpower careers (past, present, and future), backgrounds, education, career path, and current projects. In addition to dialogue surrounding the specific careers of each speaker, topics ranging from mentorship, networking, and interpersonal communication skills will be addressed to extend advice to students who are preparing to graduate or seek out internship experiences. We will wrap up with an open Q&A, so come prepared! The target audience is students and early career professionals. Register here.
Triton is designed to support the development and testing of more precise and cost-effective environmental monitoring technologies for marine energy. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory leads Triton on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office.
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