1st Tidal Power Delivered to US power Grid off Maine

FoxNews ^ | September 14, 2012 | AP

[fight_truth_decay]

A tidal power project is delivering electricity to the U.S. power grid for the first time, energy officials said Thursday. Ocean Renewable Power Co.'s first underwater turbine, off eastern Maine, was delivering to the grid the first commercially produced tidal power on Thursday afternoon, said Bangor Hydro Electric Co., which operates the grid where the tidal power connects. "This historic moment elevates the U.S. to the world stage," said Chris Sauer, president and CEO of Portland-based Ocean Renewable Power, which has invested $15 million in the project. The amount of power is modest for now. The first underwater turbine generator unit, installed last month in Cobscook Bay, produces enough electricity for 25 to 30 homes, company spokeswoman Susy Kist said. Two more turbines will come online next year. The pilot program calls for more units to be installed off the Lubec and Eastport region at the nation's easternmost tip within four years, bringing production to 4 megawatts, enough power to keep more than 1,000 homes running.

[Our man in washington]

I hope it works and someone makes millions off of it.

I fear it won’t and will cost the taxpayers millions in subsidies.

But if it does work, great!

[bkepley]

How long before they find out it is installed in the mating areas of endangered seaworms or something?

[1rudeboy]

Who would’ve guessed that tidal power could hurt your eyes?

[ryan71]

http://orpc.co/orpcpowersystem_tidgenpowersystem.aspx

[ryan71]

That thing is going to eat fishing nets for dinner.

[Elendur]

so, if that $15 million, was ALL the money it cost,
and no additional from government subsidies,
and no additional cost, to expand from 30 homes,
to 1000...
...it still would equal a cost of $ 15,000
to provide electricity, to EACH home... ?

[DaxtonBrown]

“roduces enough electricity for 25 to 30 homes”

For only $15 million! They could have installed a $500 k generator for each home.

[jwsea55]

I hope it works and someone makes millions off of it.

I fear it won’t and will cost the taxpayers millions in subsidies.

If it doesn't work, they probably didn't invest enough. Maybe a billion, with taxpayers dollars this time.

[DoughtyOne]

This historic moment elevates the U.S. to the world stage, said Chris Sauer, president and CEO of Portland-based Ocean Renewable Power...

Glad this guy has things in their proper perspective... /s

Is there anyone out there with even 0.125% of a clue?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

You just know some endangered species of sea anemone is being pureed in that big shiny turbine at this very moment.

[Born to Conserve]

“That thing is going to eat fishing nets for dinner.”

Fishing nets are going to eat that thing for dinner.

[JimRed]

How many poor little fishies are being Osterized by the turbine blades? < /LibWhine >

Actually, downcurrent from the turbine should be great fishing; it’s being chummed constantly!

[Mr. K]

I cant wait for the first pictures of a whale stuck in one of those things

..or half a whale

[alancarp]

Turn it over and you could mow the seas floor. Seriously though, that monstrosity makes solar power look viable.

[Mycroft Holmes]

There is an emerging demand for an energy source with reasonable cost and without greenhouse gas emissions, for use in remote or isolated areas. From such a perspective, small-sized nuclear power plants have attracted worldwide attention. The 4S is a sodium-cooled fast reactor with a thermal rating of 30MWt or 135MWt that can supply not only electricity but also heat and/or steam. In addition to serving as the electricity supply for a remote community, the 4S can also satisfy industrial demands in remote locations, such as the electricity supply for seawater desalination, the heat supply for hydrogen production, and the steam supply for mining operations.

For about 100 grand you get 135MW. Cheap.

Free course management software for homeschoolers and educators. Beta testers wanted, Free.

[VanShuyten]

I saw a great article about putting in tidal hydroelectric dams in the Bay of Fundy. With the large tidal changes, they could generate a lot of power. They would essentially kill off any of the fishing towns there, however.

[ken in texas]

If it doesn't work, they probably didn't invest enough. Maybe a billion, with taxpayers dollars this time.

LOL. Those funds were spent on companies like Solyndra... my taxpayer account is empty.

[jwsea55]

If it doesn't work, they probably didn't invest enough. Maybe a billion, with taxpayers dollars this time.

LOL. Those funds were spent on companies like Solyndra... my taxpayer account is empty.

Your account is probably empty because you just aren't paying enough. I think of the starving teachers students. :-))

Where do these guys think this is going to end? Tagged along with a friend so he could check out a gun up here in MT a few weeks ago. One of the sales guys said the owner was actually thinking of voting for the 0 because business is just booming.