A team, lead by the University of Maine, has just been awarded $951,500 as part of a federal appropriation, to work on developing tidal energy in the state. The University, together with its partners the Maine Maritime Academy and Portland-based Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), will use the money to continue assessing current prototypes and models of turbines that can be submerged in the ocean to produce power using tidal currents.

"Once again, the Maine Congressional delegation has recognized UMaine's capacity, especially working in concert with research and industry partners, to address a critical issue," says UMaine President Robert Kennedy.  "Our natural resources have placed Maine in the center of the discussion about developing clean, renewable energy and we appreciate the delegation's support as we work toward tapping the enormous potential for generating power from the sea."

Researchers also will move forward in evaluating the potential environmental impact of harnessing tidal energy off the coast of Eastport in the Western Passage of Passamaquoddy Bay.

Estimates show that in the next five to seven years, tidal energy has the potential to be a billion dollar industry in Maine, creating several hundred jobs.

"This funding will allow us to kick off an important project that is going to have significant economic impact in Washington County and throughout the state," says Chris Sauer, president and CEO of Ocean Renewable Power Co.

This summer, the company will begin extensive in-water testing of the commercial design of its turbine generator unit, which has turbines made of a composite material developed by U.S. Windblade LLC of Bath and a composite structural frame to be made by Harbor Technologies Inc. of Brunswick – two companies with ties to UMaine's AEWC Advanced Structures and Composites Center.

Last year, ORPC proved that its turbine generator unit is technically viable, and now it's time to continue with the process to demonstrate that it's ready for commercial use.

"It's critical that we are able to prove through this testing that this turbine generator unit is commercially viable," Sauer says. "It has the potential of catapulting us to the front of the tidal energy industry, while at the same time putting Maine on the world map as far as tidal energy."