The national offshore wind research & development consortium (nowrdc), in collaboration with xodus group and karp strategies, proposes the national ocean renewable power accelerator (ocean repower)

This Cooperative Agreement award, valued at $249,991.00, was granted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) program (CFDA 11.012) on March 1, 2024. The National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium (NOWRDC), in collaboration with Xodus Group and Karp Strategies, will establish the National Ocean Renewable Power Accelerator (Ocean RePoweR) program. Ocean RePoweR aims to create a national framework for commercializing ocean renewable energy innovations, providing customized assistance to startups at the demonstration or in-water piloting stages to help them prepare for market entry. The program will leverage NOWRDC's experience in marine renewable energy research and ties to the offshore wind innovation hub, Xodus Group's expertise in business mentoring and market insights, and Karp Strategies' proficiency in renewable energy development and stakeholder engagement.

Ocean repower will establish a new national framework for innovation commercialization, focusing on tools and services to promote sustainable, safe, inclusive, and informed ocean renewable energy. Instead of a conventional place-based accelerator, our program connects existing support systems nationwide, offering customized assistance to cohort startups. Ocean repower will target startups and entrepreneurs at demonstration or in-water piloting stages, readying them to design and conduct piloting to prepare them for market entry. With five years in marine renewable energy research and ties to the offshore wind innovation hub, nowrdc brings its experience in funding and managing research projects in marine renewable energy together with its knowledge about the corporate innovation world and business support to the program. Xodus group offers robust business mentoring, economic impacts evaluation, and market insights resulting from broad experience in supply chain, policy, workforce, and stakeholder analyses. Karp strategies adds its proficiency in renewable energy development, inclusive economic programs, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning.