Portland hydropower firm awarded $5.3M for tidal-power generator
Courtesy / Ocean Renewable Power Co.
Ocean Renewable Power Company President and CEO Chris Sauer off the coast of Ireland's County Donegal. The company recently landed a $5.3M grant to improve performance and commercialize its TidGen tidal-power generator project in the waters of Eastport and Lubec.
The Portland-based hydropower company Ocean Renewable Power Company says it will use a $5,350,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to boost the performance and commercialize its TidGen tidal-power generator.
“ORPC is thrilled to be selected by DOE for this significant award. It is a great testament to our superb technology and our amazing team,” ORPC President and CEO Chris Sauer said in a statement. “We look forward to commercializing our TidGen Power System in Maine, collaborating with Eastport and Lubec as well as with local contractors and service providers.”
This most recent TidGen project, which is based on 11 previous in-water deployments, will integrate improvements into a commercially viable and certified tidal power system. The device’s novel floating design will move the turbine near the surface to capture higher flow velocities and will help reduce the cost of installation and on-water operations, ultimately lowering the cost of energy.
The new system will be built, installed, operated and performance benchmarked in ORPC’s permitted sites in the Eastport and Lubec waters and employ local contractors and services providers.
As reported by Mainebiz, ORPC's prototype TidGen tidal-power generator made North American history in September 2012 when it transmitted electricity from Cobscook Bay near Eastport to a commercial grid for the first time.
“ORPC is a global leader in hydrokinetic energy, and this grant will help accelerate the company’s efforts to improve upon its tidal turbine technology,” U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King said in a joint statement. “By developing innovative and groundbreaking methods for generating clean, renewable energy, we will help ensure a reliable, affordable power supply, and that our environment is preserved for future generations.
OPRC was one of 10 organizations from across the country to receive federal funding on Tuesday for the development of a commercially viable marine and hydrokinetic industry.
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