USA: Ocean Renewable Power to Install Power Unit in Cobscook Bay

Ocean Renewable Power Co., a Maine-based tidal energy company, is going to install its first grid-connected power unit in mid-March at a 60-acre site in Cobscook Bay, reports The Huffington Post.

Chris Sauer, president and chief executive officer of the Portland-based company, explained that the first unit will have the capacity to power 20 to 25 homes and will be connected to the grid this summer while another four units will be installed next year. The total cost of the project will be $21 million.

The full array of five of those turbine generator units will generate approximately 300 kilowatts under the pilot project for which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the license last week.

According to officials, Ocean Renewable and Nova Scotia-based Fundy Tidal Inc. intend to install the same units in waters off Nova Scotia by 2014, where Bay of Fundy offers even greater tidal power potential, officials have said.

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Offshore WIND  Staff, March 07, 2012; Image: orpc