2007 CBC ORPC Presentation
View Chris Sauer's Presentation as .pdf
Chris Sauer, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Renewable Power Company, told the gathering that ORPC Maine is evaluating potential sites in Western Passage and Cobscook Bay for development of commercial scale tidal energy projects. ORPC Maine applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for Preliminary Permits for site areas in both waterways. ORPC intends to work with local community officials and stakeholders, as well as state agencies, to conduct studies and evaluations to identify the most feasible and acceptable sites for installation of tidal energy projects. Sauer stated that he is interested in working with the Passamaquoddy Tribe to find ways in which the two projects might complement each other.
Sauer described the advantages of the OCGen™ technology his company is developing including:
- the turbines rotation in one direction only, regardless of direction of the current flow;
- the slower turbine tip speed results in reduced “wear and tear”, noise, vibration and lower potential for impacts on sea life;
- each turbine has only one moving part – turbines and generator rotate on a single shaft;
- there are no gears, thereby eliminating the leading cause of failure for windmill-type turbines;
- the turbines are “stackable,” making them highly adaptable to a variety of project site conditions;
- there will be no impact on the surface of the water (except during brief installation and maintenance periods), which eliminates interference with commercial shipping and recreational boating;
- there are no visibility issues;
- minimal impact on the ocean floor, because mooring system anchors are used to hold them in place – there are no pilings or foundations; and
- 'smart' submersible features allow OCGen™ modules to be submerged and raised to the surface for deployment, maintenance or emergency situations.
ORPC’s development and commercialization plan will be conducted in 3 phases:
1. One-third scale prototype. A one-third scale turbine generator unit (20’x3’x3’) prototype will be suspended below a barge or floating platform for about six weeks to help them confirm design efficiency.
2. Full scale prototype. This will consist of a single turbine generator unit with ballast and mooring. It will be deployed approximately 18 months after completion of the 1/3-scale demo project and operated for 12 to18 months. Power generated will be transmitted to a buoy where it will be metered and dissipated. This will be the final testing of technology and performance. All important environmental and operating parameters, such as noise and effects on fish, will be monitored and data will be collected and analyzed. At this point they will go to FERC for licensing.
3. Commercial scale. FERC licensing and financing will be completed and project installation will occur within 12 months of completion of the prototype project (2011). At this stage, the electricity generated would be brought to shore and hooked into the existing grid.
Sauer told the group that ORPC is currently raising the money for phase one of their development plan. At this point they have raised about half of the money they need. They would like to install the phase one turbine in October or November of 2007. They plan to work with local people to determine the best location for deploying the one-third scale prototype.
They plan to have the turbines fabricated in Maine and shipped to the Boat School in Eastport. Final adjustments and fabrications will be done at the Boat School. They would like to involve local people in building the equipment as much as possible.