Navy investing in Oahu wave energy testing

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HONOLULU — The University of Hawaii says the U.S. Navy is investing $9 million more in a Kaneohe wave energy development project.

The university said Monday the funds will help the Manoa campus’ Hawaii Natural Energy Institute conduct additional underwater surveys with its partner Sea Engineering Inc.

The funds will also benefit divers and remotely operated underwater vehicles.

Kaneohe is expected to become the first wave energy test site in the nation to connect to an active power grid.

The Navy began testing wave energy devices in Kaneohe Bay several years ago with a test berth in about 100 feet of water. This year the Navy plans to establish two additional test berths at depths of about 200 feet and 260 feet.