IAPG Renewable Energy Conversion Working Group (RECWG) Marine Renewable Energy Forum 2023

March 21, 2023

The Interagency Advanced Power Group (IAPG) Renewable Energy Conversion Working Group (RECWG) Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) Hybrid Meeting is scheduled for March 21, 2023, at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Washington, D.C., office.

The IAPG emphasizes program coordination and dissemination of technical information to increase the effectiveness of Government programs, avoid duplication, identify technology gaps, and maximize success in research efforts. The RECWG Marine Renewable Energy meeting will provide a forum for a cross-cutting review of current government research activities across the interest of members within the IAPG Member Agencies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of Energy, NASA, and the Department of Transportation).

The Marine Energy Forum is an opportunity for federal employees (feds) to peak over the top of their organizations’ silos and interact with other feds that have interests in marine energy.  The Forum will bring together feds with a mix of domain expertise – some organizations have funded marine energy research while others are curious about the potential of marine energy. 

Meeting Venue

National Renewable Energy Laboratory – Washington, D.C., Office
901 D Street SW, Suite 930
Washington, DC 20024

Forum Goals

• Share knowledge and enthusiasm on the potential of marine energy
• Identify government-wide stakeholders and collaborators
• Identify where to go for existing marine energy research and data
• Identify potential early market opportunities and minimally viable products

Forum Themes and Values

Forum Themes – try and get each presentation to address some or all of these meeting themes to build
meeting coherence – we want the whole to be greater than the sum of its parts.

• Inform – what is marine energy?
  • Why marine energy? What about marine energy has unique advantages?
  • Why get involved with marine energy now?
  • What is the current state of marine energy technology? What are the technical risks?
  • Why us? Why proper role of government?
  • What are the potential end uses? What would we need for a minimally viable product?
• Connect – let’s have a conversation
  • Who else in government is in this marine energy space?
  • What are my interests? Who’s interested in the functions I’m interested in achieving?
  • Who can I learn from? Who has the data or is going to have the data I need?
• Inspire – what potential opportunities can marine energy unlock?
  • What is the long-term value marine energy can deliver to my long-term mission driven organization?
  • What can I envision with marine energy that would be impossible without marine energy?
  • What is the long-term competitive advantage of marine energy in my market / mission space that cannot be replicated with another technology?

Meeting Attendees – Please Review Carefully

Attendance at the RECWG meeting is limited to U.S. persons – citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPRs), also known as permanent resident aliens (PRAs) or green card holders.

• Government employees, including Intergovernmental Personnel Act employees.
• Employees of Federally Funded R&D Centers (FFRDCs). This only includes employees of the FFRDC, not the administering entity. View the Master list of FFRDCs.

Meeting Registration

Pre-registration is required for in-person and virtual participants.

We have reached capacity for in-person participation. You will be added to the waiting list in the event of an opening. At this time, your participation will be virtual through MS Teams. Please contact Renee O’Brokta renee.obrokta@nasa.gov for additional information.

Registration is now closed. Please contact Renee O’Brokta for questions.

The deadline for registration is March 14, 2023.

All presenters as well as meeting attendees are required to register. No walk-in/day-of meeting registrations will be permitted.

Overall Agenda

While the agenda is preliminary and subject to change, we have planned the following overall agenda:

We encourage you to add this meeting to your travel calendar and forward this announcement along to other interested colleagues and managers.

Lodging

Below is a list of area hotels near the NREL Washington, D.C., Office: You are encouraged to book lodging ASAP as many hotels are already sold out of government per diem rate rooms due to Cherry Blossom festivities.

Transportation – Airports

The Washington, DC area is serviced by three airports:

• Reagan National Airport
• Dulles International Airport
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport

Metro Travel

The NREL Washington, D.C., Office is accessible via the L’Enfant Plaza metro station. Download a map or schedule. The L’Enfant Plaza metro station is the closest station to NREL. There are multiple exits at the L’Enfant Plaza station. From all four lines (yellow, green, blue, and orange), use the exit marked “L’Enfant Plaza.” As you exit the station, at the top of the escalator make a right turn and exit outside. Go down the steps, which lead to D Street SW. Turn left and at the light cross to the opposite side of D Street. Turn left, passing the “do not enter” sign; the building is to your right as you proceed up D Street.

Parking

Public parking is available below the building at an hourly or daily rate and is accessible from the lobby.

Security Procedures

Building Security will be given a final list of attendees in advance of the meeting. Visitors must show government-issued photo identification (for example, driver’s license, passport, or military ID), and sign in upon arrival. Visitors must pass through a magnetometer and have their personal items x-rayed – please allow extra time for this process.

Health and Safety Protocols

The health and safety of our meeting attendees are of top priority. Our goal is to host a safe and productive meeting while following all CDC protocols. If you feel sick or are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms; have tested positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of the meeting; or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of the meeting; please stay home.

Food Accommodations

While there is no registration fee, $11.00 per person will be collected through the online registration process from those who choose to participate. The cost includes beverages and snacks provided throughout the day. Lunch will be on your own. There are numerous dining options at L’Enfant Plaza and in the immediate area.

Presentations

If you plan to present at the RECWG MRE meeting, an electronic copy of your presentation in MS PowerPoint or Adobe PDF format should be sent to Renee O’Brokta, IAPG Support Specialist, at renee.obrokta@nasa.gov, no later than March 14, 2023.

Additional Contact Information

If you know of a presentation that might be of interest to the RECWG Marine Renewable Energy community, please contact one of the following leaders: