Under the MoU, both the parties will examine the technical, environmental and economic case for installing demonstration and commercial power plants in the Florida current.
FAU houses the Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC), a federally-designated research and testing facility aiming to speed up the commercialisation of Gulf Stream.
Minesto will deploy its Deep Green tidal and ocean current power plant, which resembles an underwater kite designed to generate electricity from low velocity currents.
The US Department of Energy estimates that the Gulf Stream can supply about 30% of the energy consumption in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, which is up to 163TWh electricity.
Both the parties will develop a partnership with cooperative mutual research, testing, and educational activities under the terms of the MoU.
Minesto chief executive Anders Jansson said SNMREC is preparing testing facilities located in the Florida current, where the company has assessed the ocean current resource to be favourable for Deep Green.
"SNMREC are experienced in resource modelling, marine measurements, environmental assessments and regulatory framework helping Minesto to accelerate potential development in the US," Jansson added.
SNMREC executive director Susan Skemp said, "We’re looking forward to assisting with Deep Green technology development and Minesto’s ocean current project ambitions around the world."
Image: Minesto and FAU examine the feasibility of ocean current power. Photo: Courtesy of artur84/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
