Proposal for a Workshop on Basic Research at the Intersection of Marine/Hydrokinetic Energy and the Aquatic Environment

海洋和水动力能源（MKE）通过利用自然水流发电，而不使用大坝，引水结构或蓄水池。它被定义为来自海洋、河口和潮汐区的波浪、潮汐、水流和温差的电能，以及来自河流、湖泊、溪流和人造渠道中自由流动的水的电能。海洋能和水力能有潜力提供美国近10%的电力需求。 然而，海洋能和流体动力能的潜在环境影响，无论是在一般科学、工程、社会经济和生态原则方面，还是在具体地点的情况下，都远未得到很好的理解。该项目的目标是通过一个讲习班召集一组专家：（1）确定海洋/水动力能源与环境之间的主要研究挑战和机会，（2）在主要研究人员之间建立协同作用，以形成多学科研究小组，更好地进行能源和环境方面的端到端研究。 受邀者将包括学术机构、国家研究实验室和联邦机构的研究人员，以促进跨机构的互动。 研讨会将涵盖的主题涵盖海洋，河口和河流中MHK能源的物理-工程-经济方面的全部内容，包括：海上MHK农场对海浪和海底地貌的影响，能源装置对流体动力学、波浪传播和湍流的影响，对沉积物输运和河流形态动力学的影响，以及评估生态系统的变化和权衡，包括溪流生物和生物地球化学的改变以及对鱼类移动和洄游的影响。 还将研究涡轮机尺寸和集群布置的工程方面。随着海洋和水力能源技术的快速发展，以及新许可证的压力越来越大，加速研究如何在不损害环境的情况下为可再生能源利用水的自然力量提供科学理解成为优先事项，因此本次研讨会非常及时。 25岁左右？将邀请30名在流体力学、波浪传播、地貌学、沉积物输运、水文学、水生生物学、营养物输运、生物地球化学和海洋工程方面具有专门知识的科学家，力求在高级和初级调查人员、性别和代表人数不足的群体之间取得平衡。 此外，还将邀请一名向公众传播科学和科学教育方面的专家参加。 与会者将应邀介绍他们最近的工作以及他们对未来研究机会和挑战的看法。 学生和博士后将被鼓励参加，并将提供旅行资金。 除了演讲外，还将成立焦点小组讨论特定主题，并对MHK能源和环境研究现状和未来需求做出最先进的总结。

Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy (MKE) generates power by harnessing the natural flow of water without using a dam, a diversionary structure, or an impoundment. It is defined as electrical energy from waves, tides, currents and temperature differentials in oceans, estuaries, and tidal areas, as well as from free flowing water in rivers, lakes, streams and man-made channels. Marine and hydrokinetic energy has the potential to provide almost 10% of the US electricity demands. However, the potential environmental effects of marine and hydrokinetic energy are far from well understood, both in general scientific, engineering, socio-economic, and ecological principles and in site-specific cases. The objective of this project is to bring together a group of experts via a workshop to: (1) lay down the major research challenges and opportunities at the interface of marine/hydrokinetic energy and the environment, and (2) to create synergies among principal investigators towards forming multi-disciplinary research groups that can better undertake end-to-end research in energy and the environment. Invitees will include researchers in academic institutions, National Research Laboratories, and Federal agencies to foster across-agency interactions. Topics to be covered in the workshop span the full spectrum of physical-engineering-economic aspects of MHK energy in oceans, estuaries and rivers including: impact of offshore MHK farms on ocean waves and seabed geomorphology, impact of energy devices on hydrodynamics, wave propagation and turbulence, impact on sediment transport and stream morphodynamics, and evaluation of ecosystem changes and trade-offs including alteration of stream biology and bio-geochemistry as well as impacts on fish movement and migration,. Engineering aspects of turbine size and cluster arrangement on the above aspects will also be studied. As marine and hydrokinetic energy technology develops at a fast pace and as the pressure for new licenses piles up, accelerated research in providing the scientific understanding of harnessing the natural power of water for renewable energy without harming the environment becomes a priority and thus this workshop is very timely. About 25 ? 30 scientists with expertise in fluid mechanics, wave propagation, geomorphology, sediment transport, hydrology, aquatic biology, nutrient transport, bio-geochemistry, and ocean engineering will be invited, seeking a balance between senior and junior investigators, gender and underrepresented groups. Also, an expert in communicating science to the public and science education will be invited to participate. Participants will be invited to give a presentation of their recent work as well as their perspectives on research opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Students and post-docs will be encouraged to attend and will be provided with travel funds. In addition to presentations, focus groups will be created to discuss specific topics and to contribute to a state-of -the-art summary on MHK energy and the environment research status and future needs.