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Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. ERDC WQTN-MS-08 August 2014 Analysis of the Challenges and Opportunities of Hydrokinetic Turbine Development Affecting the US Army Corps of Engineers by David L. Smith, John M. Nestler, Richard Styles, and Brian Tetreault BACKGROUND: National energy policy supports increased development of green (renewable) energy to lessen dependence on petroleum-based fuels and reduce their attendant environmental impacts. One family of renewable energy technologies experiencing increased national interest is hydrokinetic turbines. Hydrokinetic turbines include systems that convert waves, tides, and river flow (without impoundment) into electric energy. River hydrokinetic turbines (hereafter referred to as kinetic energy turbines (KETs)) were the focal point of a recent workshop, although hydro-kinetic turbines in estuarine or coastal settings may also impact US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) missions. This document summarizes a two-day interagency workshop that was convened at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) on 29 February 2012. The workshop was attended by representatives of the US Geological Survey; Fish and Wildlife Service; National Park Service; Department of Energy (DoE: Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest, and Sandia National Laboratories); US Coast Guard; USACE Headquarters; USACE New Orleans District; Mississippi State University; and ERDC’s Environmental Laboratory (EL) and Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL). A complete list of attendees can be found in Appendix A. Recorders at the workshop summarized information from both the presentations and ensuing discussions. This Technical Note succinctly synthesizes information developed during the workshop, capturing major discussion points and conclusions. This information was analyzed to identify challenges such as internal communication shortcomings, external coordination requirements, and critical technology gaps. By addressing these challeng