TIDAL ENERGY MOVES AHEAD IN MAINE

Coast Guard prepares to test its first tidal power generator; The project will provide power to rescue boats and a pier in Eastport starting in January.
David Sharp, September 11, 2009 (AP via Maine Today)

"The [U.S.] Coast Guard signed off…on its first tidal power project with plans for a small underwater turbine to augment electricity generated at its station in …[Maine] home to some of largest tidal variations in North America.

"The $100,000 project in Eastport will be used to evaluate tidal power technology that the Coast Guard hopes to use to provide electricity to isolated stations in Alaska…Ocean Renewable Power Co., which was tapped for the project, began testing its first underwater turbine off eastern Maine in December 2007. The Coast Guard will be given a larger prototype to be installed by January in the waters off Eastport."

Schematic of the basic Ocean Renewable Power tidal energy device. (click to enlarge)

"The turbine can produce up to 60 kilowatts, enough electricity for about 20 homes. It will likely be used to light the Coast Guard pier and to heat rescue boats…Part of the challenge will be creating a battery system to store some of the electricity as the tide changes twice a day…The system won't be used to power critical communications equipment until Coast Guard officials are certain that any potential bugs have been worked out…

"While the scope is modest, the project will mark the first time the Coast Guard has harnessed tidal power…In Maine, the Coast Guard has wind turbines that provide 365 kilowatts of electricity…and it has 360 lighted buoys and 60 lighthouses that are illuminated by solar energy."

Artist's representations of Ocean Renewable Power deployment schemes. (click to enlarge)

"Development of tidal power is years behind wind power but developers see great potential because underwater turbines eliminate complaints about unsightly towers…[and] water's greater density means fewer turbines would be required…Most important is the predictability of the tides.

"Ocean Renewable…is one of a half-dozen companies that have tested underwater turbines…[It] is the only one conducting underwater tests in Maine…Ocean Renewable hopes to install turbines with 5 megawatts of capacity that will be connected to the power grid over the next two years…"