Hydroelectric (tidal) power studies gain approval (ME/NH)

[jpak]

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070418/NEWS/704180372

PORTSMOUTH — A pair of competing hydroelectric developers were granted permits to study the feasibility of harnessing energy from Piscataqua River currents by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Monday.

The N.H. Tidal Energy Co. and UEK Corp. were given approval to study the local potential for harnessing energy from the river for a period of 36 months. The FERC approval requires both companies to file semi-annual progress reports and a notice of intent for a license to operate within a year.

NHTEC's proposal calls for 50 to 100 devices to be placed in the Piscataqua to harness electricity from river currents, which would then be sold to a local utility. Owned by Oceana Energy, NHTEC has applied for permits to test hydroelectric potential in 11 other rivers in seven states.

Oceana President Dan Power told the Herald in July that the technology is being developed with the U.S. Navy and based on Navy propulsion systems and "mag lev," or magnetic levitation principals.

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[On the Road]

1. Do You Know What the Economics are Expected to be?

Cost per kilowatt as opposed to other types of generation?

[jpak]

2. The cost is between 4.2 - 6.5 cents per kWh. Very competitive

Swell Potential for Maine Ocean Energy

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=44931

In a one-year study of Maine's tidal power potential, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) concluded that it provides an excellent resource that could produce electricity at costs competitive with wind and natural gas, and less expensive than solar and so-called "clean coal." And, like wind and solar, capturing energy from the tides emits no greenhouse gases.

"Maine has a world-class tidal resource that will produce electricity at a cost of 4.2 to 6.5 cents per kilowatt-hour," said Roger Bedard, the EPRI study project leader. "This resource is better than many we studied and will produce lower cost electricity as a result."

The Governor's Energy Bill, which received strong bipartisan support, creates a goal of 10% new renewable power generation resources in Maine by 2017.

Supported by funding from the Maine Technology Institute, EPRI analyzed the technological and economic feasibility of the tidal resources in seven states and provinces, including Maine, Massachusetts, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In Maine, the study focused on Western Passage in Quoddy Bay. The study characterized eight different tidal in-stream energy conversion devices.

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...and unlike the wind, tides are highly predictable and a firm source of power.