The nation's first commercial, grid‑connected tidal energy project was dedicated in a ceremony held on July 24 in Eastport, as Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) officials played host to a gathering that attracted over 200 guests and speakers. The outdoor program was held during intermittent rain showers. ORPC President and CEO Chris Sauer described the wet moments as a project baptism. He noted that the weather might not be reliable, but the tide is always dependable.
     The first of many speakers, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy Steven Chalk, U.S. Department of Energy, stated, "Maine is well positioned to lead the nation in tidal energy development. Through the Energy Department's early investment, ORPC has brought its tidal energy device from the laboratory to commercial deployment." Chalk noted that energy generation from water-power resources can potentially provide up to 15% of the nation's energy by the year 2030. "By pursuing the president's all-of-the-above approach to developing every domestic source of clean energy, we will reduce energy costs, better protect our environment and provide a path for energy independence."
     Earlier this year, the Department of Energy released a nationwide resource assessment showing that tidal currents off the nation's coasts are significant. ORPC is leading the charge to tap into that resource and make tidal energy technology a viable, commercial industry. The TidGen project helps advance the technical, operational and environmental goals of the industry and is building the capacity to develop, manufacture and deploy new ocean power technologies in the United States. According to Chalk, "This is just the beginning for ORPC and the tidal industry.
     "Being among the first grid‑connected, commercial ocean energy deployments in the nation is a significant milestone. Though marine and hydrokinetic technologies are at a very early state of development in the United States, they hold significant promise for adding to our nation's renewable energy portfolio, and the Department of Energy is committed to advancing these next generation techniques."
     Chalk said, "The Department of Energy believes that tidal technology and advancement must also preserve the integrity of the marine environments if it is to succeed. With funding from the Energy Department, the University of Maine conducted field studies to assess fish behavior around ORPC's beta turbine. Preliminary results showed minimal impact."
     In addition, part of the $10 million grant that the Energy Department awarded to ORPC in 2010 included implementing environmental monitoring plans to ensure minimal impacts to fish, birds, marine mammals, habitat and sediments in the project vicinity.
    Sean O'Neill, president of Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition, a national trade association of marine and hydrokinetic technologies from ocean resources based in Washington, D.C., said it was 2005 when ocean renewable energy was re‑introduced into the definition of renewable energy as recognized by the federal government. "At that time we saw that the U.S. was falling behind the rest of world in the development of technologies that could harness the power of our oceans. We started to look at the countries that had been advancing these technologies, in some cases for a decade. In fact, for the leading countries like Scotland Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Norway, what we saw were some tremendous similarities in public policy that helped spur the responsible commercialization of tidal and wave power. The factors that were clearly in common included consistent funding from federal, regional, state and even local organizations and government bodies for research and development; the existence of open-water testing facilities; and a market pull mechanism like the incentive‑based rates recently approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission for ORPC's project here in Eastport. Right now the only open-water test facility in the U.S. that's in operation is a wave test facility in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii."
    Ann Miles, deputy director, Office of Energy Projects, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, described the responsibility of coming up with suitable regulations as "not an easy task. You had to get the project in the water and determine what regulations were needed." She attributes the success to commitments by state and federal agencies and especially a commitment at the local level. "Every day we were blazing new territories."
     Joe Migliaccio, interim president of the Maine Technology Institute, praised the project and described the efforts by the institute to offer aid in supporting the project. Other speakers spoke of the cooperation between federal and state agencies, town officials, fishermen, legislative officials and contractors in meeting the challenges of this first‑time project.
     "The world is watching Eastport and Lubec today," commented Sauer. Representatives of businesses in several foreign countries were in the audience to support this statement.
     Closer to home, former Maine governors John Baldacci and Angus King were in attendance. Staff members read letters from U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe and U.S. Senator Susan Collins. Senator Snowe hailed the unveiling of the latest and largest iteration of the TidGen power system as a "monumental achievement." Senator Collins described the Cobscook Bay Tidal Energy Project as the culmination of years of dedicated effort. "I am excited to see the first phase of the Maine tidal energy project come to fruition in Cobscook Bay." Both senators have been active in securing financial support for tidal energy. A statement from Rep. Mike Michaud recounted his years of working with ORPC and expressed his delight in seeing the results of research and development that will help increase the area's energy independence.
     Those in attendance had a "last chance" to view the 98‑foot turbine generator unit (TGU) that will be installed in August at ORPC's site near Seward's Neck, North Lubec. Beginning in October the turbine will be connected to the power grid, providing consumers with electricity. Initially, the pilot project will provide power to about 25 homes, and, with two additional TidGen devices added next year, the array will be able to power about 75 homes.
     In April of this year, the Maine Public Utilities Commission approved primary contract terms for 20‑year power purchase agreements for the project, marking the first long‑term tidal energy power purchase agreements in the U.S. The commission's order directs the three Maine investor‑owned utilities -- Central Maine Power Company, Bangor Hydro Electric and Maine Public Service Company -- to negotiate these agreements with ORPC, helping to attract additional private investment as the project matures. If the testing of the first TidGen unit over the next year supports the viability of the project, four more turbines will be installed over the next several years, generating sufficient power to provide electricity to as many as 1,000 homes.
     It is estimated that the project has pumped as much as $14 to $18 million into the local economy in the past eight years. Lubec Town Administrator John Sutherland and Eastport City Council President Robert Peacock said the trickle down effect is visible in the demand for lodging and more people using the area restaurants. ORPC has employed local workers, and Morrison Manufacturing Inc. of Perry and CPM Constructors have added employees to their payroll.
     Eastport Port Director Chris Gardner said, "ORPC has been tremendous to the community. Everything they said they were going to do they've done. They've shown honesty and integrity and that they are a business that truly cares in a community, region and state that often struggles to determine where their tomorrow will come from."