More than three years in development, ORPC Maine is currently in the testing phase of its $1 million Ocean Current Generation (OCGen) technology demonstration project at its Cobscook Bay and Western Passage sites near Eastport, ME. The innovative project involves conducting a series of tests of a prototype turbine-generator unit (TGU). Data from these tests will be used to complete the commercial design of the TGU over the next year.

Joe Migliaccio, manager of MTI Business Innovations Programs, explained that ORPC built on a previous MTI Development Award to win the new one to help move the project further along the path to commercialization and potential economic benefit for Washington County and beyond. “Using the prior MTI award along with additional external match funding, ORPC Maine was able to manufacture a prototype in Maine and produce the data needed to prove out their concept. This data and their shore-side support collaboration with Eastport were a few elements that enabled ORPC to successfully compete for the additional MTI Development Award investment.”

“We are honored that an organization like MTI, with such prestige in the areas of science, technology, and our environment, continues to support our project. With MTI’s support, we will continue our aggressive development path towards commercialization of our technology and projects that will provide clean, emission-free electricity to the entire region,” stated Chris Sauer, president & CEO of ORPC Maine. “Maine has tremendous natural tidal energy resources and the State has the foresight to encourage the development of ocean renewable technologies.”

Ocean Renewable Power Company anticipates securing additional private capital during the summer of 2008, followed by testing the commercial design of the TGU in the spring of 2009.

SOURCE: ORPC Maine, LLC

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