Amount Requested: - $1,000,000

This project is being developed by the University of Massachusetts and the towns of Nantucket and Edgartown.  They will create an in-ocean test site and renewable energy lab to research, demonstrate and validate marine renewable energy technologies.

Currently, there are no pre-approved in-ocean test sites in the United States for marine renewable energy technologies.  Creating this site and lab will greatly aid U.S. and international companies and research universities directly involved in marine renewable energy.  The site and lab will lower the R&D costs to companies developing and manufacturing these technologies, make it easier for these companies to commercialize products and provide a national training site for clean energy engineers and technicians. 

The communities also propose designating a National Off-Shore Renewable Energy Innovation Zone (NOREIZ), which will be North America’s first designated in-ocean test site for marine and offshore wind energy devices.  NOREIZ will enable Massachusetts and the United States to develop and grow the marine renewable energy industry. 

The installation of this test site will immediately create jobs and attract private developers that want to manufacture and deploy marine and wind energy devices.  This infrastructure will directly support Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket’s desire to develop marine and wind energy resources.   Creation of NOREIZ will expedite and accelerate the manufacturing and deployment of marine and wind technologies.  The Commonwealth’s major universities, colleges, and vocational schools all have a role in educating and training the full range of professionals employed in this emerging sector. 

Taxpayers will benefit from having access to new marine technologies that produce renewable energy in coastal areas.   The south coast region boasts a large cluster of marine science and technology companies.  This project will serve as a boost in employment and economic development in this industry.

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