Grants Fuel Study of Tidal Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded grants to two entities
to enable a deeper dive into tidal energy generation. In this
episode of Grid Talk, host Marty Rosenberg talks with Nate
Johnson who is the Vice President of Development for ORPC. The
Maine based firm will deploy two devices in Cook Inlet, Alaska to
further study tidal generation.


“For decades folks have been trying to harness marine energy and
I would say it’s still new because there’s only a handful of
companies around the world that have achieved that and it’s a
harsh environment, it’s complex,” said Johnson. 


The first phase of the study is being paid for with a $3 million
DOE grant with a goal generating between one and five megawatts
of power. 


“Alaska has an opportunity to produce way more than it needs and
produce other forms of electricity, transportable electricity
from tidal energies. In Cook Inlet alone in Alaska, we have the
potential for 18 gigawatts.”


ORPC and the other grant recipient, a team led by Orcas Power and
Light Cooperative in Washington, aim to raise the profile of
potential tidal power. 


“A lot of folks aren’t aware that there are technologies out
there than can produce electricity from tides or from rivers that
aren’t dammed so we really focus on not only getting the device
in the water but working with communities or customers to build
awareness in different regions and try to grow that marketplace.
That’s a big part of what we do.”


Nate Johnson leads ORPC’s development activities and the
implementation of its innovative power systems in cost effective,
environmentally responsible ways. A native of Long Island, Maine,
Nate has a diverse background that includes renewable energy,
commercial fishing, aquaculture, groundwater exploration and
development, construction management and environmental
engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science from Tufts
University.