US DOE announces winners of the 2024 Collegiate Marine Energy Competition

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the winners of the 2024 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC).

This year, teams completed four challenges focusing on market analysis, technical design, prototype testing and community engagement.

After opening applications on March 26, 2024 and closing on May 6, 2024, 17 teams were selected from among the registered teams to qualify for the competition.

The teams presented their work at the event, which took place in Portland, Oregon, May 20-23, 2024. The jury reviewed the presentations, reports and posters, selecting the first, second and third place winners, as well as the winners of each category:

• The best poster: Purdue University
• Winner of the business plan competition: University of New Hampshire
• Winner of the technical design competition: University of New Hampshire
• Winner of the Build and Test Challenge: Oregon State University
• Winner of the Community Connections challenge: Purdue University
• Rookie of the Year Award: Rutgers University.

Repeating the victory of 2023, The 2024 competition was won by the University of New Hampshire. Purdue University took second place, and Oakland University and Oregon State University took third place.

The annual MECC event, now in its fifth year, challenges teams to develop solutions for blue economy power sectors such as aquaculture and ocean observing. Students gain experience by identifying markets for marine energy technologies and designing their own devices, according to the U.S. DOE.

“Marine energy resources are abundant, predictable and have enormous potential to deliver clean energy to our grid and maritime economy.” he said Jeff MarootianPrincipal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

“The students participating in this competition are paving the way for this new, emerging industry, and we look forward to their future achievements.”

According to the U.S. DOE, MECC introduces students to a variety of career paths needed in the industry, including engineering, environmental sciences, business development, project management and communications.

MECC is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Hydropower Technologies and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

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