The company hopes to begin on-water deployment of its Cobscook Bay Tidal Energy Project sometime very soon following issuance of a license by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
“This is a huge milestone for ORPC and the entire tidal energy industry. It also means that ORPC will continue creating local jobs and increase spending in the regional economy,” says Chris Sauer, ORPC’s President and CEO. “We have received invaluable guidance from the local fishing industry, pilots, and many other marine users, and we thank the citizens of Eastport and Lubec for embracing tidal energy development and helping ORPC succeed.”
The company plans to install the project over two years. Beginning this month, a single device TidGen Power System will be installed at the Cobscook Bay project site. A buried, underwater power and data cable will connect the TidGen device through the inter-tidal zone with an on-shore station that will be constructed on private property at the end of North Lubec Road. Bangor Hydro Electric will also be upgrading the adjacent service line to facilitate electricity distribution to Maine customers.
Once the single-device TidGen Power System is in operation, likely in June, ORPC will conduct performance testing of the system and will collect and analyse data on its design, performance and interaction with the marine environment. Environmental monitoring and fish studies will continue in partnership with the University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences.
In mid-2013, ORPC plans to install four additional TidGen devices, creating a five-device power system with a rated capacity of 300 kilowatts, enough to power approximately 75 to 100 homes.
During installation periods at the project site, local mariners can expect to encounter a large moored barge and/or other work platforms with cranes operated by ORPC’s general contractor, Perry Marine & Construction, along with support vessels and divers. Marine mammal observers on other vessels will also be present in the project area during major installation activities.
The US Coast Guard will establish temporary safety zones during installation periods, and will continue to engage local mariners in discussions about navigation safety in the project site area once the project is operating.
Component assembly and staging activities will occur near and at the boat ramp and dock that were formerly part of the Boat School and are now owned by Perry Marine & Construction.
Established in 2004, ORPC is a privately-held industry leader in tidal, river and deep water ocean current power generation technology and projects. ORPC’s hub at Eastport and Lubec, Maine has become an internationally recognized centre for tidal energy development.
Here, in 2010, the company completed its Beta TidGen Power System project, the largest ocean energy device ever installed in US waters. The Cobscook Bay Tidal Energy Project is funded in part by the US Department of Energy and the Maine Technology Institute.
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