CASTINE — This spring, a tidal energy testing facility proposed on the Bagaduce River will enter the second stage of site evaluations.

The Tidal Energy Device Evaluation Center (TEDEC) is a collaborative effort between Maine Maritime Academy and three industry partners.

Plans are under way to conduct an in-depth environmental study of the river and to engage the community in the planning process.

MMA is serving as the host institution representing a public-private partnership interested in the exploration and development of renewable energy sources. The consortium includes Cianbro Corp., Marinus Power and OceanWorks International.

Pending the results of the exploratory phase of the permitting process, the group intends the center to test a variety of tidal energy devices currently under development around the world.

The proposed center, the second of only two in the world and the first in the United States, would also provide educational and research opportunities for MMA students and faculty. It could also eventually generate electricity.

Center programs would focus on environmental and biological factors, design efficiencies, maintainability and reliability of tidal energy turbines.

“Partners in this group realize that renewable energy will not work if devices create more damage than good,” TEDEC President Mark Coté said. “We’ve teamed together to try to offer a comprehensive solution that will help inventors see their concepts become reality while being socially and environmentally responsible.”

The consortium announced in February that it intended to move forward with plans to develop the center.

That month, MMA submitted an application for a preliminary permit to the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC).

The consortium has since worked to establish itself as a nonprofit agency, formed a board of directors, elected a president and established a mission statement and bylaws. Federal tax-exempt status is still pending review and approval.

MMA’s permit application asked for consideration of two sites, one in Castine Harbor and the other at Bagaduce Narrows, located on the Bagaduce River.

The permit was granted in October 2007.

A 2006 study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute identified the Bagaduce River as one of several sites in Maine suitable for tidal energy generation.

“We hope that by investigating this desirable tidal power location, we can provide a definitive answer to the question of whether or not a tidal energy device testing center will work here,” Cote said. “Right now, that’s still very tentative and hinges largely on the results of the environmental study evaluation of the actual tidal conditions in the river, feedback from the local community and other stakeholders and an assessment of the level of industry need.”

The TEDEC board of directors has enlisted the help of Maine Solutions, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension program that promotes collaboration and cooperation between businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.

Maine Solutions is currently conducting a community assessment, which involves interviews with stakeholders to determine concerns about the activities enabled by the current permit. The inquires also seek to determine the community’s level of interest in learning about and contributing to the testing of tidal energy equipment and systems and determining impacts of these activities on the natural ecosystems, cultural resources, community economics and other factors.

State Sen. Dennis Damon, (D-Hancock County) helped organize an upcoming public forum and the formation of an eventual working group of local leaders and stakeholders.

Maine Solutions will facilitate the public discussion on the proposed TEDEC on Wednesday, April 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Harborview Room of the Harold Alfond Student Center at MMA.

Source: ellsworthmaine.com 

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