DOE Marine Energy Fellowship

DOE Marine Energy Fellowship is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Engage in Research to Advance Marine Energy and Hydropower The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office (H2O) drives innovation in marine energy , next-generation hydropower , and pumped storage systems to support a reliable, flexible energy grid.

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Marine Energy Fellowship Program, funded by H2O, offers graduate students and postgraduates the opportunity to engage in marine energy research while embedded at selected host facilities for up to 12 months.

Graduate students are eligible if they are enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral program and conducting marine energy research as part of their thesis or dissertation, while postgraduates must have completed their degree within the past 24 months. Host facilities for the program may include government research facilities or labs, industry sites (such as technology developers), or other locations approved by H2O.

Fellows and mentors are responsible for coordinating appointment start and end dates which typically last 12 months and may be conducted virtually or onsite. As part of the application process, fellows will collaborate with their mentor to develop a research plan that must be submitted at the time of application. Applicants can explore the Host Facilities page for a list of potential hosting locations.

While this list serves as a helpful starting point for identifying suitable facilities, applicants are not limited to the options provided. Fellows are encouraged to directly contact host facility representatives listed on the page if they are interested in collaborating with them.

Graduate students will engage with their mentor to conduct marine energy research as proposed in the research plan, while postgraduates will collaborate with their mentor to advance marine energy through experiential learning as outlined in the proposed research plan.

Graduate students will spend a minimum of six months, while postgraduates will spend a minimum of 12 months, at the host facility, virtually, or onsite during their one-year appointment. As a fellow in the Marine Energy Fellowship Program, you will: Enhance your education and training in water power technologies. Advance your Master’s or Doctoral thesis in marine energy research (Graduate Student Track).

Strengthen your marketable skills in marine energy-related disciplines. Collaborate with top scientists and access state-of-the-art equipment. Gain deep insight into research and career opportunities through immersion at your host facility.

Work alongside experts developing and testing emerging technologies. Learn about career paths in marine energy research and related fields. Receive mentorship to support your next career step.

2026 Fall Cohort of Marine Energy Fellows Design of optimal control strategies for field-scale tidal turbines experiencing strong channel blockage and flow fluctuations. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Personal Interests and Fun Details When not actively doing research, Ari enjoys making the most of the outdoors through rock climbing, running, and mountaineering.

Additionally, in the water, he enjoys river snorkeling through rapids and freediving, which have provided a tactile avenue to experiencing the fluid dynamics that drive marine energy technologies. Ari’s interest in marine energy was influenced by growing up on the Washington coast and observing coastal communities in Alaska that rely heavily on diesel generation.

Additionally, traveling through rural regions in South America reinforced the global need for reliable energy solutions. These experiences have motivated Ari’s desire to advance marine renewable energy, aiming to improve energy security and resilience, particularly for underserved communities.

Supporting wave, tidal, and river energy projects in Alaska through technical assistance programs, the development of the Deployment Readiness Framework tool, fieldwork, and teaching.

National Laboratory of the Rockies Personal Interests and Fun Details Alaska is never short on outdoor adventures, and Courtney enjoys exploring its mountains, rivers, and ocean, as well as harvesting delicious berries, plants, and fish with her wife and corgi. She grew up in Iowa, where she learned to swing dance and now cherishes dancing in every city and country she visits.

Courtney fondly recalls a house energy-efficiency kit she brought home from elementary school that her parents helped her install. From then on, she has fueled a passion for the environment, energy, and engineering. Marine energy sits at the intersection of these interests, and Courtney believes it is a promising solution for our energy needs.

Experimentally evaluating various strategies for obtaining the blade root bending moments and along-blade strain of marine turbines operating in energetic tidal Environments. National Laboratory of the Rockies Personal Interests and Fun Details Mason’s interest in marine energy arises from the growing need to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and an opportunity to combine both field and laboratory research.

Through the ORISE Marine Energy Fellowship, he is excited to help advance marine energy by improving the techniques used to quantify structure health and performance of marine turbines. Studying the mechanisms, monitoring, and mitigation of biofouling on composite materials.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Personal Interests and Fun Details Apart from her research, Ana enjoys doing anything outdoors like camping, skiing, hiking, and running. Indoor hobbies include chess, reading, and occasionally building LEGO sets. Ana’s interest in marine energy grew due to its sustainable and renewable nature.

Even though it is a highly predictable energy with vast resource a downside is the harsh environment caused by ocean salt water often leading to expensive maintenance. This is where Ana’s intended research area lies, and through the development of her project she hopes to contribute to challenges in growing marine energy sectors.

Market Driven Pathways for Marine Energy Adoption: End-User Engagement, Design Tradeoffs, and Market Entry Strategies for Wave Energy Technologies Personal Interests and Fun Details Outside of research, James enjoys watching and playing soccer, traveling, and listening to music.

Growing up and working in coastal communities inspired his long-standing interest in coastal resilience, sustainable development, renewable energy, and marine energy. James's interest in marine energy stems from his experience designing and promoting renewable energy solutions in the coastal communities of the Niger Delta.

During his graduate studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston, a course on the economics of renewable energy deepened his interest in marine energy and its potential to provide reliable, sustainable power for coastal communities.

Building on his expertise in Market Systems Development (MSD), his fellowship research will examine stakeholder incentives, end user needs, and market entry strategies to help accelerate the commercialization and community adoption of wave energy technologies. Investigating how material coatings, depths, and flow conditions affect biofouling on Sitkana’s technology.

Personal Interests and Fun Details Outside of research, Isabel loves singing, playing the piano, and arranging music. She also enjoys hiking, baking, and cooking. She’s looking forward to exploring the wildlife and nature of Alaska.

She sees marine energy as an important intersection between engineering and ocean sciences and is fascinated by all the various technologies to harness energy from the sea. Isabel believes marine energy is the next path forward for renewable energy.

Technical challenges associated with modeling cross flow turbines: active and passive pitch control Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Personal Interests and Fun Details Outside of research, Sara spends time hiking, playing ice hockey, and puzzling. She enjoys long lakeside walks with their dog accompanied by Marina and Orville Peck in her headphones.

Some of her favorite things about living in Madison while in grad school include break walks to visit the koi at on-campus gardens, the smell when lilac trees bloom in the spring, sunsets over Lake Mendota at a tiny park, and walking to work in the snow. Growing up in Alaska, surrounded by the mountains and a wealth of water, seeded an early love of nature for Sara.

Finding a passion for energy analysis and policy nestled alongside enjoyment of mechanical engineering coursework during her undergraduate program narrowed into marine energy research during graduate school. Now, her research on computational modeling of small-scale hydrokinetic turbines intersects with her interests in both fluid dynamics and renewable energy.

Reinforcement Learning-Based Control of CalWave's Pressure-Differential Wave Energy Converter CalWave Power Technologies, Inc. Personal Interests and Fun Details Outside of research, Tanvir enjoys road trips, hiking, and exploring new places. He is excited about marine energy because it connects advanced controls research with reliable clean power from the ocean.

Tanvir is passionate about sustainable energy and sees marine energy as a promising path for clean, reliable power generation. He is especially interested in the field because it brings together electrical engineering, control systems, and real-world energy challenges. This fellowship gives him the opportunity to apply both physics-based modeling and data-driven technologies to advance energy harvesting from ocean waves.

Optimizing the design and control strategy of a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) with WECOptTool for integration with offshore aquaculture mooring arrays. Personal Interests and Fun Details Outside of research, Ava loves yoga, reading thrillers and mystery books, and spending time with friends.

She is originally from North Carolina, and enjoys birdwatching and exploring nature in the Appalachian Mountains, which has allowed her passion for field work and research to grow. Ava finds marine energy exciting, as it is a renewable power resource that bridges the gap between addressing the demand for power generation and utilizing sustainable resources.

Pursuing this opportunity directly aligns with Ava’s goal of innovating sustainable power generation, and integrating advancements in marine energy technology applications is an exciting endeavor to support Ava’s goal. Development of a System Design Tool for Hybrid Marine Renewable Energy Platforms Personal Interests and Fun Details Jackson enjoys dinner parties, soccer, tennis, skiing, crafts, and reading.

He is still looking for a way to combine these into a single activity. Marine energy is a huge opportunity to make a significant positive impact. There is so much room for improvement and that makes it a super exciting field to get to work in.

There are breakthroughs just waiting to be made that can really help people.

2026-2027 Summer Cohort of Marine Energy Fellows AI applicability in decision making and trust perceptions by regulators for water power technologies Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Personal Interests and Background Dr. Asta Habtemichael is a mixed method researcher who is committed to enhance energy production capabilities through the introduction of new technologies with sound integration of science into policy.

When not doing science, Asta enjoys playing soccer, running, and hiking. The idea of harnessing marine energy to generate power for remote island communities to provide cheaper and reliable power sources has been a quest of science and engineering. With a background in ocean science and policy, Asta believes the current technological advances will lead to the realization the dream.

Differentiable Hydrodynamic Modeling for Geometry Optimization of Wave Energy Converters Sandia National Laboratories Personal Interests and Background During her free time, Ava loves rock climbing and snowboarding. Ava is excited to contribute to the field of marine energy. The opportunity to support its growth motivates her, especially with improving sustainable energy for the future.

Spatial analysis of the levelized cost of water (LCOW) from the theoretical deployment of wave-powered desalination devices in U.S. coastal waters, focused on the west coast and island territories. Personal Interests and Background Outside of research, Megan loves the outdoors and traveling. She enjoys running, reading, scuba diving, and art and music in all forms.

She strives to be a lifelong learner in every facet of her life, from her career in research to her day‑to‑day experiences. Megan was born in St. Croix and maintains her ties to the island and the rest of the Caribbean through family friends that have lived there over the years.

Their adaptations to hurricanes and climate change stand as a testament to the resilience of island communities and have served as a source of inspiration for the development of innovative solutions to complex modern problems, such as the advancements being made in marine energy.

Reliability Assessment Framework for IVT Gearbox Systems in the Context of Tidal Current Energy Converters Idaho National Laboratory Personal Interests and Background With a deep passion for exploring rugged landscapes and untamed natural wonders, Fazlur brings a curious and adventurous spirit to life’s discoveries.

Whether it's late-night thoughts on physics, tech, or life's big questions, he brings a thoughtful and fun energy to every conversation. Driven by his passion for marine energy, Fazlur sees it as a transformative force for resilient power generation with immense real-world impact.

Through his advanced data-driven condition monitoring capabilities, he masterfully addresses complex technical challenges, enhancing system performance and innovation across the marine energy domain. Exploring opportunities for the co-location of marine energy generation with emerging ocean industries, mapping c-development and commercialization pathways for technologies well-suited for ocean-powered operations.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Personal Interests and Background Out of research, Connor enjoys rock climbing, trail running, backpacking, skiing, and cycling. He’s looking forward to exploring the mountains and forests of the Pacific Northwest and the waters of Puget Sound. Connor applied to the Marine Energy Fellowship because it sits at the intersection of his interests in the ocean, energy, and climate systems.

He is particularly interested to explore how marine energy can act as a catalyst for the broader blue economy by providing onsite, reliable power generation for coastal industries. Collaborating with PNNL offers a unique opportunity to bridge fundamental research with real-world deployment strategies and help shape the future of this emerging sector.

Development of differentiable hydrodynamic and optimal control software for scalable wave energy converter farm design optimization, which builds upon the previous MarineHydro and WecOptTool projects. Sandia National Laboratories Personal Interests and Background Collin’s fascination with marine energy started as an undergraduate student studying floating offshore wind turbines.

Throughout his master's and PhD studies, he has developed an appreciation for nonlinear dynamics, control systems, and design optimization. In his free time, he enjoys scootering, rock climbing, and going to the gym. Collin finds marine energy, in particular, interesting due to its untapped potential and unique multidisciplinary coupling.

As a PhD student, he sees his research as the perfect fusion of his interests in wave energy and mathematical modeling. Development and implementation of a machine learning (ML) guided adaptive control system for the MBARI-WEC to improve power production under variable ocean conditions, including model development, a structured validation process, and Edge AI deployment.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Personal Interests and Background Outside of researching the ocean, Hannah spends her time in the water spearfishing and surfing. She also enjoys pottery, baking, and sewing. She grew up in San Diego and loves spending as much time outside as possible.

Hannah is interested in marine energy because it is a readily available resource that can be used to expand ocean study and exploration. Hannah is excited for this opportunity because it combines her current skills and interests to expand the MBARI-WEC capabilities.

Advance numerical coastal modeling capabilities with high-resolution SCHISMs for wave and tidal energy resource assessments along the Northeast U.S. coastline, supporting ocean industry applications. Personal Interests and Background Beyond her scientific research, Avery enjoys walks with her dogs, crafting, baking, reading, and sailing.

As a Colorado native, she has long dreamed of living by the ocean and building a career centered on studying it. Avery is drawn to marine energy because it brings together her interests in ocean engineering and physical oceanography. She thrives in interdisciplinary environments and is eager to deepen her understanding of ocean processes to help harness them more effectively and sustainably.

2025 Summer Cohort of Marine Energy Fellows Exploring marine energy opportunities in Alaska through community-driven resource assessments, stakeholder engagement, grid integration studies, and field work. National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) - Fairbanks, Alaska Advancing the current state of understanding on the socioeconomic effects of marine energy internationally and to improve upon current approaches for identifying effects.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Optimizing marine monitoring with a Virtual Twin simulation. This project integrates measured power profiles of AI processing hardware (Nvidia Jetson Orin) with modeled renewable resources to create highly efficient, long-term operational plans, directly supporting sustainable marine energy.

Development of a streamlined measurement-based method for tidal energy resource assessments using short-term velocity and tidal water level data to estimate energy potential for small-scale tidal applications. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) - Albuquerque, New Mexico Development of a numerical model using open-source software to de-risk and guide the design of wave energy converter prototypes.

Development and experimental validation of deeply embedded anchors for floating offshore energy platforms, integrating finite-element soil–structure interaction, mooring dynamics and uncertainty-aware optimization to improve installation reliability, reduce cost, and enhance lifecycle performance.

Analyzing changes in inorganic carbon chemistry due to Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement as a method for carbon sequestration utilized in Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Development and optimization of hydraulic power systems for marine energy converters, integrating dynamic system modeling with real-world deployment insights to accelerate technology commercialization pathways in the offshore renewable energy sector.

Advancing sustainable wave energy solutions tailored to remote and tribal communities. This project integrates social, environmental, and technical perspectives to support equitable energy planning and deployment. National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) Analysis and development of ocean-deployed wave energy converters with emphasis on generator design, data analysis, and WEC-Sim modeling.