This figure shows an artist’s conception of a possible turbine design based on traditional propeller technologies. Maine Maritime Academy’s TEDEC would provide a location and the expertise to test various turbine configurations. This will help vendors bring their turbines to readiness for commercial application. Image courtesy of Ripe Studios /
This calculate shows an artist ‘s concept of a possible turbine design based on traditional propeller technologies. Maine Maritime Academy ‘s TEDEC would provide a placement and the expertness to test versatile turbine configurations. This will help vendors bring their turbines to readiness for commercial application.Image courtesy of Ripe Studios / Verdant Power Janet Mendelsohn is a freelance writer based in Maine and Massachusetts.
When Maine Maritime Academy in Castine announced in February 2007 that they had filed an lotion with the Federal Energy Regulation Commission ( FERC ) for a proposed Tidal Energy Device Evaluation Center ( TEDEC ), they knew it would take at least a class before a decision was announced. “ Since then, we ’ ve answered their questions about the types of devices we anticipate testing and explained how this tidal office genesis works, ” said Mark Cote, professor and moderate of MMA ’ s Engineering Department last fall. “ FERC ’ randomness area of expertness is might generation using dams. This is the first application in the U.S. for the purposes we outlined, so we explained how the program will test generation of clean, renewable energy using tidal ability. They are going through a learn wind. The application is moving fore but we don ’ metric ton know when we ’ ll get a response. ” The response came in October 2007 when FERC issued a preliminary allow that allowed TEDEC to complete an evaluation of the river and its electric potential for their lotion. “ If found to be satisfactory, ” said Cote, “ we probably will apply for a full moon license erstwhile in 2009. ” TEDEC would create a first adeptness to test and evaluate devices designed by U.S. and international companies. MMA students and staff would be involved in research and educational opportunities at the proposed focus on, which is intended to facilitate and advance development of tidal energy. Ultimately it would generate electrical might for the academy ’ randomness campus and potentially supply overindulgence electricity to Castine or the public might power system. The primary coil objective, though, is to advance technology in the area of tidal department of energy while improving understand of the unique characteristics of the Bagaduce estuary and the likely affect of tidal energy devices on the environment, according to Cote. MMA is the host mental hospital representing a consortium of public and individual agencies that presently includes three private companies : Cianbro Corporation, Marinus Power and OceanWorks International. Two testing sites are proposed : one on the Bagaduce River, the other in Castine Harbor. “ The Bagaduce Narrows produces high speed flow but not a bunch of volume, while in the harbor there is senior high school volume but lower speed, ” said Cote. “ The combination is one of the singular aspects to this marriage proposal. We can test devices in both kinds of conditions. ” No equivalent facility exists. “ With all of our ocean introduction points running north and south, and with our 10- to 20-foot tides, Maine provides particularly thoroughly opportunities for generating tidal power. Its growth has the electric potential for good new use in the State of Maine, ” said Cote. “ If implemented, we know tidal exponent genesis has the potential to impact the river, ecology and nautical operations. As a nautical educate, we are committed to take all aspects of this into account. We think this is a great technology with a frightful future for renewable power. ”
