Ocean Renewable Power Company, LLC

U.S. Coast Guard crews change tide of energy consumption

Date: 3rd September, 2010

EASTPORT, Maine - U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England (SNNE) crews will partner with Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) members to demonstrate the nation's most robust tidal energy program on, Aug. 24, 2010.

ORPC tidal turbine generates power for Coast Guard vessel

Date: 3rd September, 2010

Numerous state, local and federal officials and leaders of Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) were in Eastport on August 24 to see a demonstration of the largest ocean tidal energy generator in the United States and to celebrate ORPC's successful generation of energy through the use of tidal currents in Cobscook Bay.

Groundbreaking Tidal Power Plant Officially Unveiled in Eastport

Date: 27th August, 2010

The fierce tides of Cobscook Bay have long been viewed as a challenge to mariners. But a Maine-based energy company is now using the movement of those tides to generate renewable power for the U.S. Coast Guard station in Eastport. Murray Carpenter took a boat ride to see the tidal energy turbine in action.

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Source: www.mpbn.net

Maine company says underwater turbine is a success

Date: 18th August, 2010

PORTLAND, Maine — A developer of tidal power in the nation’s northeastern corner is reporting success with its first commercial-sized underwater turbine, putting it on track to have one connected to the power grid by the end of 2011, officials said Wednesday.

Largest Ocean Energy Device Ever Installed In U.S. Waters Generates Electricity At Design Capacity

Date: 18th August, 2010

PORTLAND, ME, August 18, 2010 – Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), an industry leader in tidal, river and deep-water ocean current energy technology and projects, announced today that its Beta Power System, the largest ocean energy “power plant” ever installed in U.S. waters, has successfully generated grid-compatible power from tidal currents at its Cobscook Bay site in Eastport, Maine. The system’s core component, the proprietary Turbine Generator Unit, or TGU, is deployed below ORPC’s world-class research and testing vessel, the Energy Tide 2, and has a maximum design capacity of 60 kilowatts. Performance test results show that the TGU’s electrical output meets or exceeds expectations for the full range of current velocities encountered. ORPC will use the data obtained from the Beta Power System to fine tune the design of its commercial TidGen™ Power System, planned for installation in Eastport in late 2011. The TidGen™ Power System will be connected to the New England grid through the Bangor Hydro Electric Company system, and will generate enough electricity to power 50 to 75 homes.

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ORPC Partners with Scientific Solutions to Develop Underwater Monitoring System for Ocean Energy Industry

Date: 12th August, 2010

On July 28, 2010, officials of ORPC and Scientific Solutions, Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding kicking off the companies’ joint efforts to develop an active acoustic monitoring (AAM) system for the ocean energy industry..

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ORPC Announces New Anchorage Office and New Summer Intern

Date: 06th August, 2010

Ocean Renewable Power Company is proud to announce our new ORPC Alaska office location at 725 Christensen Drive in Anchorage, and to introduce Tessa M. Kara, our new Alaska summer intern.

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Snowe Announces $750,000 in Funding for Ocean Renewable Power Company in Portland

Date: 06th August, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today announced the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $750,000 in funding under Phase II of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Small Businesses were selected for awards on the basis of the scientific and technical merit of the proposals they put forward. Senator Snowe is the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

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Pride in Patriotism – Eastport Celebrates the Fourth of July

Date: 15th July, 2010

For the third year in a row, ORPC joined the Eastport community in celebrating the Fourth of July in style. The city’s Grand Independence Day Parade was a great success by all accounts. “It was amazing,” said ORPC’s Darrel Speed, whose six-member family attended the celebration for the second time. “Crowds were packed 25 feet deep along Water and Washington Streets.”

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ORPC eyes province’s test sites for tidal power projects

Date: 13th July, 2010

Tidal energy developers working in the Bay of Fundy received some surprising news in late June when Irving Oil Ltd. announced that it would be ending its tidal research initiative in the bay. In 2008 the company entered a two-year lease agreement with New Brunswick for 11 Crown sites. Irving Oil was working with the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews to conduct tidal energy studies of the sites. The New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for leases from any company that is interested in the tidal test sites.

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ORPC Awarded New Technology of the Year by TechMaine

Date: 1st July, 2010

On June 30, 2010, TechMaine (the Technology Association of Maine) named ORPC the winner of its New Technology of the Year Award, for “leading the nation in the development of affordable power from the ocean and bringing new investment to the state through sustainable development of an indigenous Maine resource.”

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TechMaine touts innovation at 2010 awards gala

Date: 1st July, 2010

At its seventh annual technology awards gala last night, TechMaine celebrated everything from digital gift card companies with clients like Home Depot, to startups raising tropical fish in the cold climate of Maine using high-tech aquaculture techniques. And the audience at the Eastland Park Hotel were entertained by the pair of mock scientists from EepyBird – the ones responsible for Diet Coke and Mentos-powered fountains and rocket cars.

Maine firm eyes N.B. tidal power options

ORPC-Maine Vice President of Project Development John Ferland presented the Eastport City Council with a summary of ORPC’s economic impact on Eastport and neighboring towns. Since 2007, the company has launched two successful tidal energy projects in Eastport, and has spent more than $2 million on payroll, contractors, and goods and services in the area.

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Source: www.cbc.ca

ORPC’s Partnership with City of Eastport is Key to Company’s Success

Date: 29th June, 2010

ORPC-Maine Vice President of Project Development John Ferland presented the Eastport City Council with a summary of ORPC’s economic impact on Eastport and neighboring towns. Since 2007, the company has launched two successful tidal energy projects in Eastport, and has spent more than $2 million on payroll, contractors, and goods and services in the area.

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Live radio interview from News 91.9 "All news radio" in Moncton New Brunswick.

Date: 29th June, 2010

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Drawing Power From The Tides

Date: 24th June, 2010

The nation's energy future is being created in rural communities. On the far eastern shore of Maine, a company is learning to generate electricity from the tides.

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Source: www.dailyyonder.com

Energy Secretary Chu Applauds ORPC’s Tidal Energy Efforts

Date: 19th June, 2010

On June 14, 2010, ORPC President and CEO Chris Sauer and ORPC-Maine Vice President of Project Development John Ferland briefed U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu on our Beta Tidal Energy Project in Eastport, Maine. Secretary Chu expressed interest in our project and emphasized the importance of ORPC’s work to advancing ocean energy in the U.S. ORPC hopes that Secretary Chu will return to Maine in August to visit the project while it generates electricity from tidal currents in Cobscook Bay.

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Energy futures
Renewables will get increasing attention as power providers assess Maine’s needs

Date: 19th June, 2010

Maine is slightly more than self-sufficient in electricity generation. The volume of electricity we export and lose in transmission is slightly greater than the volume we import. In 2008,

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Source: www.mainebiz.biz

Maine Marine Energy Center Project Briefing

Date: 4th May, 2010

Portland, Maine. —The Maine Marine Energy Center (MEMEC), to be located in the Eastport Business Center (former woolen mill) on Route 190, is envisioned to be a marine renewable energy manufacturing and assembly facility for complex composite hydrokinetic turbine foils and other ocean energy sub-assemblies.

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Generating Megawatts Like Clockwork

Date: 22nd April, 2010

Eastport, Maine. —WHEN Christopher R. Sauer stands before the swirling waters of the Western Passage and describes his company’s alternative energy vision, he doesn’t see an army of wind turbines or banks of solar cells. In fact, Mr. Sauer sees nothing at all that could block his view of Canada, just across the channel. For if his plans come to fruition, an array of turbines will be operating out of sight, deep under the water, cranking out power to a substation on shore.

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Source: New York Times

History Made in Eastport

Date: 2nd March, 2010

Eastport, Maine. —History was made in Eastport Tuesday. As Meghan Hayward tells us, it's also a project that's creating jobs. The largest ocean energy device ever deployed in US waters was unveiled in Eastport. "Today establishes Eastport, Maine as the tidal energy capital of America."

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Source: WABI.TV

Tidal generator unit unveiled in Eastport

Date: 2nd March, 2010

Eastport, Maine. —The company that is planning to harness the power of the tides off Eastport is preparing to launch its tidal generator unit. Ocean Renewable Power Company held a celebration in Eastport Tuesday to mark the occassion. The tidal generator unit and its deployment vessel were set up at the Boat School for a ceremony involving state and local dignitaries, including former Governor Angus King. Ocean Renewable Power Company says the 60-killowatt unit will be the largest ocean energy device ever deployed in U.S. waters.

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Source: WCSH.com

Tide effects

Date: 21st February, 2010

Eastport, Maine. —Close by the Canadian border, this stretch of Down East Maine is known worldwide for its high tides and strong ocean currents. Peak tides rush in and out of Cobscook Bay at 7 miles per hour. From a boat, it's easy to appreciate the force of the water as it piles up against a large, white buoy moored off Shackford Head.

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Source: Maine Sunday Telegram

Launch Ceremony for the Energy Tide 2

Date: 2nd March, 2010

Eastport, Maine. —ORPC will hold the launch ceremony for the largest ocean energy device every deployed in U.S. waters. The program will include a keynote address by Angus King; remarks by ORPC President & CEO, Christopher R. Sauer; Eastport City Council chairman, Captain Robert Peacock, and representatives of the University of Maine, ORPC's business partners, R&D collaborators, and state government. Eastport Middle School science and math students will also attend the ceremony and play a role in it.

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Tidal power structure bound for Eastport

Date: 18th February, 2010

Bangor, Maine. —The steel and composite frame was impressive enough just sitting on the blacktop Thursday afternoon next to a fabrication plant near the Bangor International Airport. But when it is placed in the water next month, Ocean Renewable Power Co.’s underwater Turbine Generator Unit, or TGU, will make an even bigger splash.

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Source: Bangor Daily News

Groundbreaking Tidal Power Technology to be Tested in Cobscook Bay

Date: 18th February, 2010

Bangor, Maine. —A Portland-based tidal power company unveiled its latest underwater turbine structure today in Bangor. It's the largest ocean energy device to be deployed in U.S. waters, and it will be submerged in Cobscook Bay early next month.

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Source: mpbn.net

Pioneering tidal energy technology unveiled

Date: 18th February, 2010

Bangor, Maine. —Stillwater Metalworks in Bangor has teamed up with Ocean Renewable Power Co. of Portland to deploy a turbine unit off the coast of Eastport that will be the largest ocean energy device ever submerged in U.S. waters.

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Source: Mainebiz.biz

ORPC to Unveil Ocean Energy Generator

Date: 16th February, 2010

Bangor, Maine. —Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) will unveil the tidal energy company's underwater electric generator and its Turbine Generator Unit (TGU) support structure in Bangor on Thursday, Feb. 18.

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Underwater Turbine Unveiled

Date: 29th January, 2010

BATH, Maine. —Ocean Renewable Power Company unveiled an underwater turbine that will be used to provide electricity to the Coast Guard station in Eastport. The turbine was designed in Portland and built in Bath and can generate enough electricity for about 20 homes. In about a month, the turbine will be installed in Cobscook Bay.

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Source: wgme.com

Ocean Renewable Power to unveil first all-composite hydrokenetic turbines built in the U.S.

Date: 27th January, 2010

BATH, Maine. —Ocean Renewable Power Company CEO Christopher Sauer will unveil the tidal
energy company's proprietary, commercial-scale, hydrokinetic turbines in Bath on Friday. Sauer
will present and describe the turbines at the U.S. Windblade facilities at 2 p.m. Representatives
of business partners, R&D collaborators and local government will join him for the event.

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Maine company wins small-business clean-energy grant

Date: 23rd November, 2009

PORTLAND, Maine. —Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that Portland-based Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) is receiving a $150,000 Department of Energy grant to develop tidal power in Maine. The grant is aimed at small firms developing innovative clean-energy technologies.

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Source: pingree.house.gov

Down East becoming tidal energy test bed

Date: 16th November, 2009

EASTPORT, Maine. —Tidal energy, solar power and the future installation of a wind turbine will make the Eastport U.S. Coast Guard Station one of the “greenest” in the nation, Northern New England Commander Capt. Jim McPherson said Friday.

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Source: Bangor Daily News

Press Release: Ocean Renewable Power Company To Launch The Energy Tide 2

Date: 13th November, 2009

PORTLAND, ME. – Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), an award- winning industry leader in the development of commercially viable technology and projects that will generate clean, predictable power from river, tidal, and deep-water ocean currents, today announced it will launch the Energy Tide 2 (ET2) to demonstrate the performance of the commercial design of its proprietary Turbine Generator Unit (TGU) in Cobscook Bay, Maine early next year.

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Coast Guard and partners announce tidal energy contract

Date: 10th September, 2009

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine. — The Coast Guard, in a partnership with Maine state and congressional delegation, is pleased to announce the Coast Guard's award of the Eastport, Maine Tidal Energy Project to Ocean Renewable Power Company of Portland, Maine.

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Source: US Coast Guard

Harnessing Nature

Date: Fall, 2009

ORONO, Maine. —The power of waves crashing on Maine’s jagged coast has been captured in paintings and photographs for years. Now, it’s time to capture that energy to help alleviate the state’s dependence on fossil fuels.

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Source: UMaine Today

Surging ahead - Wind power's not the only game in town. Portland’s ORPC is making waves with its tidal energy technology

Date: 9th September, 2009

PORTLAND, Maine. — The surging tides that crash along the shores of Eastport are regarded as among the strongest and highest in the country. Rising upwards of 20 feet two times a day, the swells have for decades attracted the attention of those keen to harness their power.

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Source: Mainebiz.biz

Tidal power off Maine waved onto fast track

Date: 20th August, 2009

PORTLAND, Maine. — Developers of tidal energy projects off the coast of Maine should find it easier to negotiate the complex sea of state and federal regulations, under an agreement reached Wednesday.

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Source: pressherald.com

Maine Teams up With Feds to Speed Development of Tidal Power

Date:19th August, 2009

BANGOR, Maine. —The state of Maine has teamed up with the feds to try to speed up the development of tidal energy projects. Governor John Baldacci has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, known as FERC, to coordinate the review of energy-producing projects off the Maine coast. FERC has signed similar agreements in with Oregon and Washington but this MOU is the first of its kind on the east coast.

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Source: mpbn.net

FERC, Maine Agreement Could Expedite Ocean Renewable Power Project

Date: 19th August, 2009

BANGOR, Maine. —Ocean Renewable Power Co. is hoping an agreement between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the state of Maine could help the company in its quest to install an eventual 5 megawatts of tide-powered turbines in the state's coastal waters.

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Source: Greentechmedia.com

Assessing the Progress of Ocean Renewable Energy Technologies

Date: 6th August, 2009

Maine. — The ocean represents one of the largest energy sources on the planet; yet, we still haven't found reliable, cost-effective ways to harness that resource. The incredible amount of experimentation happening in the industry today will inevitably lead to technology breakthroughs...

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Source: RenewableEnergyWorld.com

Coast Guard turns to tidal power

Date: 1st August, 2009

EASTPORT, Maine. — A sight to behold and a hazard to avoid in a small boat, Old Sow — one of the world’s largest tidal whirlpools — is fueled by a 22-foot tidal change the Coast Guard hopes to harness to generate electricity for its Eastport, Maine, station.

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Source: SoundingsOnline.com

Status Report 10: ORPC Receives Pioneer Awards at Energy Ocean 2009

Date: June 2009

Ocean Renewable Power Company, LLC (ORPC) of Portland, Maine received two prestigious industry awards today at the 2009 Energy Ocean Conference at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine. ORPC, an industry leading developer of technology and projects that generate clean, predictable power from river, tidal, and deep-water ocean currents, received the Company Pioneer Award for its leadership and significant progress in making ocean energy commercially viable. Patrick McGinnis, Director of Systems Engineering at ORPC, received the Technology Pioneer Award for his innovation in the development and demonstration of technical viability of the core component of ORPC’s Ocean Current Generation (OCGen™) Turbine Generator Unit (TGU).

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MPBN Visits The Ocean Energy Conference in Rockland

Date: 19th June, 2009

ROCKPORT, Maine. — Imagine huge windmills on platforms in the Gulf of Maine, or barges with turbines capturing tidal power in the Bay of Fundy. The potential is great, not just for generating renewable electricity, but also for bringing investment and jobs to Maine. How close are we? What are the implications? This week on Maine Watch, Jennifer and the Maine Watch team visited the Ocean Energy conference in Rockland where they explore the issue of renewable energy from the Atlantic Ocean.

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Source: http://www.mpbn.net

Synergy of wind, tides in full sail

Date: 17th June, 2009

ROCKPORT, Maine. — Renewable wind and tidal energy is one sector of the economy that is sailing full speed ahead, and Maine has the resources and level of development to capitalize on the coming boom, experts said Tuesday at the 2009 Energy Ocean Conference at the Samoset Resort.

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Source: http://www.bangordailynews.com

Ocean Renewable Power Company receives Maine Technology Asset Fund Award

Date: 10th June, 2009

PORTLAND, Maine.-- June 10, 2009 – Ocean Renewable Power Company, LLC (ORPC) announced today the award of over $800,000 of funding from the Maine Technology Asset Fund that will be used to build and test the commercial design of its proprietary tidal energy technology, which will increase the number of ocean energy jobs in Maine.

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Maine receives $1M for tidal power development

Date: 17th April, 2009

A collaboration between the University of Maine, Maine Maritime Academy and Portland-based Ocean Renewable Power Co. has landed nearly $1 million in grant money from the federal government to research and develop tidal power in the Pine Tree State.

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Source: http://www.masshightech.com

Grant to fuel tidal power research

Date: 10th April, 2009

ORONO, Maine.-- Research into tidal power will get a boost in Maine thanks to a federal appropriation for a program involving the University of Maine, Maine Maritime Academy and a Portland-based company.

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Source: http://www.bangordailynews.com

Congressional Initiative Promotes Tidal Power Research

Date: 9th April, 2009

ORONO, Maine.--Thanks to a $951,500 federal appropriation, University of Maine researchers will lead a collaborative effort to advance efforts to develop Maine's tidal power resource. The funding comes from a Congressional initiative developed by the Maine delegation.

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Source: http://www.UMaine.edu

Status Report 9: ORPC's John Ferland Contributes to Maine Policy Review

Date: March 2009

Maine has the unique opportunity to create a world-class marine tidal energy cluster that encompasses multiple industries and organizations. This cluster would feature research and development (R&D) excellence at both the University of Maine and Maine Maritime Academy, fostering high-tech manufacturing facilities for marine composite structures, a resurgence of marine services activity at working waterfronts, and enhanced understanding of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem.

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ORPC’s prototype equipment generates electricity

Date: 24th March, 2009

LONDON, England.--Ocean Renewable Power Co. (ORPC) has shared that the project’s prototype equipment “generated electricity for the first time using Bay of Fundy tides” last spring.

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Source: http://www.tidaltoday.com

ORPC Participates on Ocean Energy Panel at Maine Fisherman's Forum

Date: 9th March, 2009

ROCKPORT, Maine.--John Ferland, Director of Project Development for ORPC Maine Participated on a panel discussing ocean energy at the 34th Annual Maine Fishermen's Forum. Ferland and others on the panel talked about the potential for ocean energy in the state of Maine, Mr. Ferland also showed the progress that ORPC has made near Eastport over the last year.

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Source: http://www.bangordailynews.com

ORPC CEO Chris Sauer Appears On Regional Business TV Show

Date: 2nd Feb, 2009

WATERVILLE, Maine.--Chris Sauer, CEO of Ocean Renewable Power Company LLC. was featured on Inside Maine Business, a regional Business news magazine style tv show. The segment with Mr. Sauer aired on January, 31st and February 2nd on several television staitions throughout the state of Maine

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Maine company says underwater turbine is a success

Date: 18th July, 2010

PORTLAND, Maine — A developer of tidal power in the nation’s northeastern corner is reporting success with its first commercial-sized underwater turbine, putting it on track to have one connected to the power grid by the end of 2011, officials said Wednesday.