For the first time ever, a U.S. company is launching a full-scale commercial marine hydrokinetic generator. Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) of Maine dedicated this energy project, which will become operational in September, at a ceremony in Eastport on Tuesday. The generator will eventually become integrated into a system of 20 underwater turbines that will produce enough energy to power 1,200 homes. This is a big step for the company after many years and millions of dollars invested in the project. “Tidal energy has arrived in America and it just landed right here,” declared Chris Sauer, CEO of ORPC at the dedication ceremony on Tuesday.
Residents of Eastport hope the tidal installation will bring a much-needed economic boost to the area, which saw a record 12 percent unemployment in June. Already, ORPC has brought in 100 new jobs as well as $14 million in investment. Paul Jacobson of the Electric Power Research Institute asserts that tidal energy generators like this one have the potential to be even more effective than other renewable sources like wind. Tidal energy is more predictable because there is little to no variation in the tides. Additionally, tidal energy generators can be smaller because water is much denser than air. While the marine energy industry is still growing, ORPC has set a strong precedent for future MHK technologies across the United States.
Read more about ORPC’s launch here.