The first underwater
turbine to make use of tidal energy went live last week in Maine, supported by
a $10 million investment by the Department of Energy.
The Ocean Renewable Power
Company Maine’s Cobscook Bay Tidal Energy Pilot Project received the Energy
Department money to build, install, and operate the hydrokinetic energy
conversion devices situated at the easternmost tip of the state.
The turbine, with a rated
capacity of 180 kW, is expected to generate enough power for 25 to 30 homes.
The electricity produced
by the tidal generation will be sold by Ocean Renewable Power Company to
Maine’s utilities under a 20-year power purchase agreement, according to
Boston.com. The initial price of 21.5 cents per kilowatt hour is almost double
the current average price of 11.21 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity in
Maine.
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