ORPC's technology generates power from the movement of rivers and tides. It's had success with a system in remote Alaska and is now getting interest from around the globe.
ORPC was founded in Florida in 2004 by cruise ship executive Paul Wells, John Cooper and Chris Sauer, whose careers focused on developing and operating cogeneration and independent power projects
ORPC will install its first power system in South America next year. The generating system harnesses the energy of river currents to reduce the need for fossil-fuel devices.
The plan is to create a testing center to support design and development of the next-generation Modular RivGen, which harnesses energy from free-flowing rivers and tidal currents.
ORPC’s RivGen system harnesses river and tidal current energy to generate electricity. Over 2 billion people worldwide have limited access to electricity, prompting bullishness from the new investors.
The Department of Energy grant builds on earlier work done by ORPC Inc., which develops and operates underwater power generation systems for use in river and tidal currents.
The device generates renewable power from free-flowing water currents. It will join a companion device in Igiugig, Alaska, producing enough energy to decrease the community's use of diesel fuel by 90%.Â
Energy developers are increasingly turning to intelligent grids that use real-time data to balance supply and demand at the local level. While there are obstacles, these "microgrids" play a growing role in environmental sustainability and even national security.
The new chief executive officer of ORPC Inc. comes to the position after advising and investing in the company. He says he's focused on helping remote communities transition from diesel-generated power.
ORPC Inc., headquartered in Portland, said Thursday that its CEO and co-founder, Chris Sauer, will retire Jan. 17. Sauer helped launch the marine renewable energy company in 2004, and today it has offices in three countries.