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Maine deploys grid-connected tidal energy project

Electric Light & Power -- Washington, D.C., July 24, 2012 — Leveraging a $10 million investment from the Energy Department, Ocean Renewable Power Company will deploy its first commercial tidal energy device into Cobscook Bay this summer.

The project, which injected $14 million into the local economy and has supported more than 100 local and supply chain jobs, represents the first tidal energy project in the U.S. with long-term contracts to sell electricity, according to the DOE.

Tidal energy is a renewable resource that can be harnessed wherever changing tides move a significant volume of water — including off the coasts of many U.S. cities where there is high electricity demand. Near Maine, the Bay of Fundy is one of the most robust tidal energy resources in the world.

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Submitted Jul 25, 2012 By: leemun

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Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,502 Points:602,520 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 2:25:24 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse keep exploring.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,610 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 6:56:18 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse treehood: of course it is, it's EL&P that put it out.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,610 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2012 6:55:32 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse nice to see progress in this direction.
W4YAH Champion Author Florida Posts:1,143 Points:231,845 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 11:58:46 AM Ignore W4YAH Report Abuse Sounds great but what about all those little sea creatures that may get squished in this thing? Sounds like the windmill projects that whack those poor litlle birdies that fly to close.
NukeAtComEd All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:725 Points:338,520 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 10:50:10 AM Ignore NukeAtComEd Report Abuse just ignore the navigation and the environmental hazards - just like windmills except these are underwater! Oh well, it is "green", it must be good!
nj2000ng Champion Author Houston Posts:1,507 Points:449,020 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 9:31:48 AM Ignore nj2000ng Report Abuse sounds good.
treehood Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,039 Points:395,785 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:51:04 AM Ignore treehood Report Abuse This story reads more like a public relations release while answering very few questions
ARCO Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:2,343 Points:2,376,395 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:47:29 AM Ignore ARCO Report Abuse WOULDN'T THAT BE NICE
Ticobird Champion Author Huntsville Posts:3,226 Points:1,115,040 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:42:19 AM Ignore Ticobird Report Abuse I hope the technological challenges can be overcome so that renewable tidal energy projects become reality.
ZeroBoxes Champion Author Mississippi Posts:1,069 Points:211,390 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:37:12 AM Ignore ZeroBoxes Report Abuse If any Maniac would care to tell the new story, I'd love to read it. "Bert and I, went down to the Cobscook Bay in the Blue Bird II....." This is a "warm-fuzzy" article; American people involved in new technology which is exportable for a cost. Now, if we can combine technologies; desalination and electricity from the same water volume area....just brain-storming....and we could add wind mills and/or solar panels in the same area.....and then pearl culturation and then...your turn!
ted4636 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,481 Points:1,636,685 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:35:24 AM Ignore ted4636 Report Abuse ok
techque Champion Author St. Louis Posts:8,650 Points:2,419,405 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:34:57 AM Ignore techque Report Abuse tides farther north are hgher, so Anchorage's Cook Inlet should be most promising.
RockCity Champion Author Denver Posts:7,905 Points:1,426,885 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:33:58 AM Ignore RockCity Report Abuse Deploy, really, perhaps.
HoosierDaddyKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,267 Points:296,185 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:30:55 AM Ignore HoosierDaddyKY Report Abuse Looks promising...
LostToo Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,392 Points:975,315 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:28:52 AM Ignore LostToo Report Abuse Good Start...
mitchells Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,856 Points:1,124,135 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:28:49 AM Ignore mitchells Report Abuse I'm sure people will find a way to block and delay tidal power, just like they like to delay all the other alternatives. Wonder what they're going to use this time, that they are blocking the waves from hitting the rocks?
TBecker1415 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,665 Points:348,715 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:28:33 AM Ignore TBecker1415 Report Abuse hope this isn't another Solindra (not sure about the spelling).
ratboy1968 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,612 Points:548,050 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:27:53 AM Ignore ratboy1968 Report Abuse ok
doncNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,516 Points:1,504,120 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:27:53 AM Ignore doncNJ Report Abuse Another 10 million wasted by the energy department.
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,515 Points:1,668,610 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:27:00 AM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse Sounds good to me.
BigBrat Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,669 Points:1,051,425 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:26:35 AM Ignore BigBrat Report Abuse ok
maryph1958 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,420 Points:283,095 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:26:13 AM Ignore maryph1958 Report Abuse ok
leraar2 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,759 Points:786,705 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:26:12 AM Ignore leraar2 Report Abuse wait until the barnacles and other lifeforms gum up the equipment.
Goatroper Champion Author Dallas Posts:6,594 Points:1,293,485 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:25:46 AM Ignore Goatroper Report Abuse Hey at least it's up and producing.
valvestem Champion Author Maine Posts:1,678 Points:143,225 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:25:38 AM Ignore valvestem Report Abuse The end user will still get the shaft, not cheap or cheaper electricity.
mnbeancounter Champion Author Minnesota Posts:4,732 Points:1,061,840 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:23:44 AM Ignore mnbeancounter Report Abuse Waste of taxpayers money
jh1552 Sophomore Author Cincinnati Posts:218 Points:42,125 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:23:31 AM Ignore jh1552 Report Abuse ok
bozo Champion Author Boston Posts:4,690 Points:2,091,630 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:23:06 AM Ignore bozo Report Abuse cost/benefit analysis?
Einstein47 Champion Author Utah Posts:11,294 Points:2,114,085 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:22:54 AM Ignore Einstein47 Report Abuse Moon Power
oldred11 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,590 Points:730,275 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:22:42 AM Ignore oldred11 Report Abuse I should have thought a project of this type would have been built years ago. The technology has been available for years.
ModelWarships Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,790 Points:1,231,110 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:21:56 AM Ignore ModelWarships Report Abuse This thing cost many times more than it will ever save. It's so easy to waste money when it comes from taxpayers.
Goody2317 All-Star Author Wilmington Posts:680 Points:618,505 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:21:06 AM Ignore Goody2317 Report Abuse Good, a way to harness the oceans. This could be a very viable source if done right.
generok Champion Author Atlanta Posts:1,123 Points:408,520 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:20:20 AM Ignore generok Report Abuse Well, at least the news source is unbiased. Just tell us the Kwh/dollar invested... that's all. GREAT, you can make electricty from waves, but how much does that energy cost?
angel4me Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,814 Points:794,545 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:19:03 AM Ignore angel4me Report Abuse great
2gjh Champion Author North Dakota Posts:3,174 Points:2,447,600 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:17:46 AM Ignore 2gjh Report Abuse Only news for electric car owners
autohio Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,770 Points:818,500 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:17:34 AM Ignore autohio Report Abuse Nice
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,324 Points:1,531,150 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:16:17 AM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Good luck but the Bay of Fundy is in Canada where the highest tides in the world are and not in Maine.
danreino Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,348 Points:1,539,755 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:16:00 AM Ignore danreino Report Abuse Is this done in The Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick too ?
rosyLI Champion Author Long Island Posts:5,630 Points:1,067,630 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:14:14 AM Ignore rosyLI Report Abuse Will it kill thesaefood? What happens at low tide? What is the cost to taxpayers?
craigsfrank Champion Author Arkansas Posts:2,198 Points:839,680 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:14:08 AM Ignore craigsfrank Report Abuse Let's just hope it pays for itself.
RangerBob58 Champion Author Dayton Posts:3,112 Points:661,775 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:12:05 AM Ignore RangerBob58 Report Abuse Won't that affect the environment and possibly kill sea creatures? Not very green. Wonder how much this is going to cost tax payers...
WeasleyOC Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,144 Points:801,350 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:11:50 AM Ignore WeasleyOC Report Abuse This will be interesting to follow.
matthwbar Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,058 Points:1,016,830 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:10:39 AM Ignore matthwbar Report Abuse Let's see if this works...
briinnc Champion Author North Carolina Posts:2,705 Points:834,820 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:10:23 AM Ignore briinnc Report Abuse Good
RochBear Champion Author Minnesota Posts:10,462 Points:1,740,965 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:08:14 AM Ignore RochBear Report Abuse the tides are very predictable. Too bad there is a "dead zone" twice a day. And sine the tides come and go at different times during the day (although predictable) there are times when this will not be producing power. However, I am happy that the DOE is finally investing in something, that appears to be profitable.
Nickel2005 All-Star Author Ontario Posts:818 Points:1,047,565 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:07:22 AM Ignore Nickel2005 Report Abuse Another renewable energy source being developed. great
orphancarguyPE Champion Author PEI Posts:3,843 Points:734,015 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:07:06 AM Ignore orphancarguyPE Report Abuse Well, sure it costs a lot to build. First step non-standard projects always do. It gets a lot cheaper when you ramp up production and standardize construction. But, its 'fuel cost free' and no carbon either. And its there forever unlike coal, or oil, or natural gas, or even nuclear. Yeah, we ARE running shorter of usable nuclear fuel for conventional reactors. Not going to run out tomorrow, but its just going to get more and more expensive to mine increasingly minute concentrations. Now, the trick is to do something on the conservation of electricity end so that it will power 200 houses instead of 75. Can be done, just takes vision and commitment. Its called Reduce and Shift Demand, or RASD for short. -stop using conventional electric ranges, and go for induction cooktops, microwaves and propane/natural gas ovens. -stop using incandescents for stoplights, and go to LED. Fraction of the electricity, and they don't have to be replaced regularly. -stop using sodium discharge streetlights, and go to LED or induction lights. Fraction of the electricity and very long lived, with more natural lighting at night. -stop using incandescents at home. I did, and even my halogen and CFL are going as they burn out, and are being replaced with LED. Use almost no electricity and can last decades, in a variety of warm and cool tones--mine have already paid back their higher initial cost with electricity savings...like, 5 watts instead of 60 watts for the same light! -Stop using electric, oil, or propane/natural gas for hot water, and use solar instead. Works excellently for me, works for decades with minimal upkeep costs every 15 years of so (change of glycol antifreeze), uses no power (makes its own for circulating pumps) Run the dishwasher about every day, and lots of hot water summer and winter for washing, baths and showers. -stop using electric baseboard heating, about the more inefficient form of electric house heating there is. If you must use electric, go for wall mounted convection heating units, or infloor. Both make you much more comfortable at lower settings. -Solar air heating panels will cut your heating costs dramatically, whether you use electric, natural gas/propane, oil or wood. Mine cost $3000, bolts up to my south wall with 4 wood screws, weighs 96 pounds, costs less than $10 a YEAR in electricity to run, and saves me $1500 a year (in oil). Works in conjunction with ANY heating system. I live in a Maine-like climate, and the furnace is off spring and fall, and only runs once in a while in winter. A furnace that is off, isn't wasting electricity 24/7 even when it isn't running. -put all your energy vampires (TV, stereos, satellite systems, computers and adjuncts especially printers) on power bars to protect them from surges, but turn the main switch off when they aren't in active use also to save lots of electricity even when they are supposedly 'off'. I've done all that, and now my average use is 6.6 kw/h a day, down from 20+ in recent times. ie, less than a dollar a day instead of $3-10+ per day There is also an 'unforeseen benefit' to using wave power in many small installations. It slows down violent wave action, lessening beach/coastal erosion, especially during winter storms or aftermath of tropical storms/hurricanes. It has the same effect of natural kelp beds or coral reefs, and the slightly slower water will allow plants to thrive for natural fish habitat rebuilding.
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:13,677 Points:2,613,800 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:03:33 AM Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse I've been reading about schemes like this my whole life--will this one actually work?
k2kipp Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,162 Points:1,126,980 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 8:00:51 AM Ignore k2kipp Report Abuse interesting
RamboOn66 Champion Author Tampa Posts:5,306 Points:1,883,830 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 7:58:24 AM Ignore RamboOn66 Report Abuse Salt water - the killer of equipment.