ORPC Develops Tidal Energy System in Maine

ORPC (Ocean Renewable Power Company) has demonstrated its capabilities by developing a tidal energy system at the Cobscook Bay located in Eastport, Maine. With this, the Portland-based company has succeeded in generating grid-compatible electrical energy from currents at the bay.

ORPC tidal systems have its designing around a TGU (Turbine Generator Unit). This tidal generation system has been designed for producing electricity at water depths ranging 50 - 100 ft. and can also be used at deep river sites and shallow tidal sites. The system has its connection with an onshore substation directly by way of a single transmission line, underwater. The tidal system incorporates a 60 kW TGU.

ORPC has partnered with UMaine (University of Maine) for a three-year period towards observing marine environments by making use of acoustic and visual monitoring technology.  The data thus collected by UMaine researchers will help in allowing both ORPC and UMaine to get a better understanding of the technology of ORPC as well as marine life.