ORPC tidal turbine generates power for Coast Guard vessel

Numerous state, local and federal officials and leaders of Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) were in Eastport on August 24 to see a demonstration of the largest ocean tidal energy generator in the United States and to celebrate ORPC's successful generation of energy through the use of tidal currents in Cobscook Bay.
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England (SNNE) crews partnered with ORPC to demonstrate the tidal energy program. The Coast Guard's Research and Development Center located in New London, Conn., and SNNE collaborated with ORPC to commission the first ever use of a tidal energy generator.
Captain James McPherson, SNNE's commander, welcomed Governor John Baldacci, Congressman Mike Michaud and a host of visitors to the Eastport station. State Senator Kevin Raye spoke of the cooperation on both sides of the aisle that helped make the day possible. Many of the speakers referred to Eastport as the "Kitty Hawk" of tidal energy. Raye reminded the community that Eastport had been the site selected for the Quoddy tidal project proposed by Dexter Cooper and Franklin Roosevelt over 70 years ago.
Governor Baldacci stated, "Maine is on an aggressive track toward energy independence. The ocean energy industry in Maine is already showing tangible results through ORPC's work here in Eastport and private investment is occurring, leading the way for other ocean energy projects to follow."
Congressman Michaud joined the governor in praising the development of tidal energy. On August 18, Michaud announced that he had help secure $700,000 in the FY 2011 House energy and water appropriations bill for further research and development of tidal energy in Maine. This funding follows a $1 million FY 2010 investment that Michaud helped secure last year for tidal energy research and development conducted by the University of Maine and its partners, including ORPC. Commenting on the project, Michaud said, "This creates jobs that can't be outsourced. We can't let China and other countries beat us to energy independence."
According to Michaud the Eastport project so far has created about 80 jobs in eight Maine counties, and he says nearly all of the project components were made or assembled in Maine, including the Energy Tide 2 vessel.
Representatives for U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins were also present for the tidal demonstration and expressed support for the project.
The 60-kilowatt tidal turbine was launched in March for testing and is the largest ocean tidal energy generator in the United States. The turbine generator unit (TGU) is set in a steel‑composite frame and is deployed from one of ORPC's research vessels, the Energy Tide 2, in Cobscook Bay. The unit utilizes advanced design cross‑flow turbines to drive the generator, and the electricity produced charges a set of battery modules housed in the Energy Tide 2. Once charged, the modules are ferried back to shore, where they are plugged into the Coast Guard's electrical inverter unit to provide power to the 41‑foot search and rescue boat tied up at the breakwater. Chief Petty Officer Austin Olmstead, chief of station at the Eastport facility, says the batteries provide about five hours of power for the boat.
The generator was recently re-deployed following several upgrades and began providing clean, grid‑compatible electricity to Coast Guard Station Eastport's 41‑foot boat on August 18. The TGU will also be involved in a concurrent project to test an active acoustic monitoring system that identifies marine life and debris in the vicinity. "The tidal generator is a pioneering concept in the field of renewable energy," said Captain McPherson. "The fact that this prototype is successfully producing power gives us the sense that this project has unlimited potential for not only Coast Guard facilities but for the United States."
ORPC is advancing its underwater power system for grid‑connection in the fourth quarter of 2011. ORPC is one of the few companies in the world to have generated electricity from ocean currents without using dams or impoundments. The company holds preliminary permits from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and is in the process of obtaining FERC pilot project licenses for tidal energy sites in Maine and Alaska. A delegation from Alaska attended the Eastport event.
Chris Sauer, president and CEO of ORPC, said, "This has put Eastport on the world map. Folks in Australia, the UK, Chile, New Zealand know all about Eastport. They are watching us and hoping it happens to them."