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www.sname.org/sname/mt July 2013 and e ects on physical systems. ? e development of monitoring and mit- igation technologies and techniques will help to ensure that data can be collected successfully and cost e ectively, and that industry and regulators have mitigation options at their disposal where necessary to enable continued development in a sus- tainable manner. ? Information sharing and international collabo- ration will complement the rst two elements by ensuring that research data collected throughout the world is aggregated, analyzed, and shared. ese activities will help magnify the value of individual data collection activi- ties; draw information and lessons learned into the United States from abroad; and guar- antee that all interested parties have access to the current state of scienti c understanding of MHK environmental impacts. ese e orts are aligned to strategically reduce environmental uncertainty, and sub- sequently lower permitting time and costs for MHK projects. ey will do this by focusing resources on areas of concern, providing tools and techniques for data collection, and ensur- ing that data is available and synthesized so that it can bene t the industry as a whole. RESOURCE CHARACTERIZATION. This is a prime driver for reducing the LCOE of any renewable resource and for reducing risks in MHK device deployment. Proper resource characterization occurs at mul- tiple space and time scales, from national scale resource assessments of total energy available annually to characterizing the extent of variability of mean tidal current speeds and turbulence across a strait over a period of minutes. is understanding and knowledge are important in determining siting of MHK devices. e programs role in this arena includes performing national scale resource assessments (as outlined previously); developing models and tools for resource characterization; and foster- ing research into physical phenomena that determine resource characteristics. It also includes developing methodology and best practices for resource characterization at smaller spatial scales and distribution of data resulting from resource characteriza- tion initiatives. A request for information (RFI) by the Wind and Water Power Technologies O ce regarding future beneficial activities and strategic partnerships in the area of resource characterization was completed in October 2012. e RFI sought stakeholder input on wave and tidal resource information needs, and responses to the RFI from the wider marine and hydrokinetic energy commu- nity were used to inform the Water Power Programs resource characterization strat- egy, as detailed in that thrust area element and sub-element sections. Public-private partnership ere is little doubt that federal investment in the development of new technologies is often- times essential to spur innovation, and the Department of Energy has often performed critical enabling roles with a wide range of leading-edge technologies. e Water Power Program expects to play a similar partner- ship role with MHK technology developers and other stakeholders to support the timely development and demonstration of these innovative technologies. We are supporting the underpinning research, development, test and evaluation e orts necessary to prove out the promise of these emerging technologies, both domestically as yet another renewable energy option, and to position U.S. industry at the forefront of this global opportunity. e promise of MHK will only be realized by an effective public-private partnership that taps into our nations unrivaled capac- ity for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. These are exciting times for this industry, and the Water Power Program is committed to helping MHK realize its full potential. MTMichael C. Reed is program manager/chief engineer for the Water Power Technologies Program at the United States Department of Energy. Multiple technologies, across vastly different water power resour ces, are needed to achieve domestic water power deployment goals of 23 GW by 2030. Learnn MoreeFOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE DOES WATER POWER PROGRAM, GO TO HTTP://WATER.ENERGY.GOV/ABOUT.HTML FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY OCEAN ENERGY SYSTEMS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, GO TO HTTP://WWW.OCEANENERGYSYSTEMS.ORG/