Update on ORPC-Alaska, Cook Inlet Tidal Project Presented to: Alaska Coastal Management Program Statewide Conference March 4, 2009 Presented by: Monty.

Update on ORPC-Alaska, Cook Inlet Tidal Project

Presented to:Alaska Coastal Management Program

Statewide ConferenceMarch 4, 2009

Presented by:

Monty WorthingtonAlaska Projects DirectorORPC Alaska911 W. 8th Ave., Suite 205Anchorage, AK [email protected]

Emission-Free Electricity from the Boundless Energy

of the World’s Rivers and Seas

http://www.oceanrenewablepower.com/

Introduction

www.oceanrenewablepower.com

Founded in 2004, Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) is a New England based developer of tidal, deep water ocean and river current technology and projects.

ORPC Headquarters, Fall River, MA with regional offices in Portland and Eastport, ME (ORPC Maine), Anchorage, AK (ORPC Alaska) and Miami, FL (ORPC Florida).

ORPC has project sites with FERC Preliminary Permits in three of the world’s most promising tidal energy resources (Western Passage and Cobscook Bay, ME and Cook Inlet, AK).

Initial Investment from founders, angel investors, states of Maine and Massachusetts.

Continues to seek out diverse investment from the private sector and the government.

ORPC’s Projects in Alaska


Tidal energy project in Northern Cook Inlet

View of Cairn Point portion of permit area from Anchorage

ORPC’s Projects in Alaska


In Stream River Site and Test Bed on Tanana River at Nenana

FERC permit on Tanana River to be used for RIver In Stream Hydrokinetic Test Bed, in partnership with UAF and Alaska Center for Energy and Power, and for commercial River Project

The Tidal Cycle

The sun, the moon, and the tidal cycle ...

Draiwing/graph courtesy of Mirko Previsic EPRI

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Velocity varying through tidal cycles

Graph courtesy of Mirko Previsic, EPRI

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Velocity and Power in a tidal resource

Graph courtesy of Mirko Previsic, EPRI

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Tidal Potential of the United States

courtesy of Mirko Previsic EPRI

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QuickTime™ and aYUV420 codec decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

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ORPC Cook Inlet Tidal Site boundaries


ORPC Cook Inlet Tidal site with ADCP lines

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Cairn Point ADCP transects

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Fire Island ADCP transects


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Cook Inlet Bottom Samples


Tidal Potential of ORPC-Alaska Cook Inlet Tidal SIte

Tidal currents at Cairn Point in Knik Arm could generate an average of 116 megawatts.

It has been estimated that 15% of total channel power can be converted for a total of 17 megawatts at Cairn Point alone

Total potential of entire site and developable resource yet to be determined

Initial FERC Pilot Project License will be for installation of 1MW in 2011

Site will be built out to 5MW after testing has proven out technology and addressed environmental concerns under Pilot Project License

Eventual build out will take place under full FERC License to size that the resource and local energy market can support

Tidal Technologies 5 years ago


Tidal Technologies Today


Tidal TGU - ORPC’s Core Technology


Key Design Features (Patent Applications Filed) Generating capacity of approximately 250 kilowatts in a 6 knot current. Unique proprietary turbine rotates in one direction only, regardless of current

flow direction. Two sets of proprietary ADCF turbines drive a single proprietary underwater

permanent magnet generator on a common shaft – direct drive arrangement with no gears (one moving part).

TGU is shop assembled in modular components and shipped to project sites. TGU are “stacked” to create much larger OCGen™ modules. Assembled OCGen™ modules are deployed in arrays comprised of tens to hundreds

of modules. OCGen™ modules are held into position underwater using a deep sea mooring

system. A power and control cable connects each OCGen™ module to an underwater

transmission line that interconnects with an on-shore substation. OCGen module operations are monitored and controlled from on-shore computers. OCGen™ modules are brought to the water surface for inspection and maintenance.

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TGUs Stack together to form OCGen™ Modules

1 MW OCGen™ Module 4 x 1 Configuration

Tidal OCGen™ Module Configurations

1 MW Peak Generating Capacity in a 6-Knot Current

Vertical (4x1) Configuration

“Low Profile” Horizontal (2x2) Configuration


ORPC Tidal Demonstration Project 2008

Eastport, Maine

• The TGU has been stress tested in current speeds up to 8 knots with no excessive vibration or deflection.

• Initial turbine blade efficiency was less than expected prompting blade redesign and testing

• ORPC has instituted an analysis and subscale testing program to address the issue of turbine efficiency with UMass Dartmouth, UMaine Orono and Maine Maritime Academy.

Engineering, Fabrication, Assembly & Testing of a prototype TGU –Approximately 1/3 the Size of a Commercial Scale TGU

Initial test results proved favorable and ORPC is thrilled to report positive results.

Patent applications filed

Core Component of OCGen™ Technology


ORPC Turbine Generator Unit (TGU)

Tidal Current Deployment ConceptFront Elevation

4 ~ TGU (4X1) Tidal OCGen™ Module

Water Surface

BottomAnchor

40 Ft. Min. Typical Clearance

Power Cable

Mooring Lines

PassiveDepthControlSystem

Mooring Harness

Chain


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Tidal Deployment

Vertical (4x1) Configuration Horizontal (2x2) Configuration

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Challenges of Cook Inlet Tidal Project Development

Developing tidal project to coexist with existing Northern Cook Inlet Users

Beluga whales

Salmon

Shipping and marine service industries

Existing and future energy industry

Commercial Fishermen

Recreational users

Addressing unique technical challenges of Cook Inlet Environment

Winter Ice

Heavy sediment loads

Anchoring in extreme marine environment

Power transmission infrastructure

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Project Partners and Contractors

Devine Tarbell and Associates, Permitting, Study Design and Analysis

Terrasond LTD., Physical Site Characterization Design, Data Collection and Analysis

University of Alaska Anchorage, Hydrological modeling

Port Mckenzie, Base for operations and deployment

Matanuska Susitna Borough

City of Anchorage

Local Utilities

Local Marine Service Industries

Local scientific research and engineering firms

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Permitting Processes

FERC

Has jurisdiction over hydro projects that sell power to the grid, and/or are in navigable waters

Created Hydrokinetic Pilot Project License Process to expedite the testing and development of hydrokinetic technologies

Preliminary Permit lasts for up to three years, stakes claim

Applicant then applies for Pilot Project License or Full License

License triggers consultation with all concerned Government agencies, and stakeholders.

Pilot Project License lasts from 5-10 years, and includes plans to quickly shut down and or remove device if adversely effects the environment, or the life, health, or property of the public.

The purpose is to allow projects to conduct initial testing while monitoring environmental effects, so the effects of these technologies can be studied on a small scale, and the techology can be developed more quickly

“The goal of the pilot process is to allow developers to test new hydrokinetic technologies, to determine appropriate siting of these technologies, and to confirm their environmental effects, while maintaining FERC oversight and agency input. The process completes licensing in as few as six months to allow for project installation, operation, and environmental testing as soon as possible.”

“The goal of the pilot process is to allow developers to test new hydrokinetic technologies, to determine appropriate siting of these technologies, and to confirm their environmental effects, while maintaining FERC oversight and agency input. The process completes licensing in as few as six months to allow for project installation, operation, and environmental testing as soon as possible.”

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Why does Alaska need tidal energy NOW?

Natural Gas from Cook Inlet is the primary energy source for the Railbelt Grid

Existing known reserves in Cook Inlet could be depleted by 2022

Developing RE resources like tidal energy can replace this energy resource

The tides of Cook Inlet could supply 100’s of MW of firm power

Existing Gas Infrastructure sits in prime tidal locations and may be able to be repurposed for tidal energy extraction

Power transmission Infrastructure already exist through prim Cook Inlet tidal zones.

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Why the world needs tidal energy development

People need tidal energy development

The creation of this new industry will create sustainable economical development

Peak oil is already here or close at hand, the world needs new energy sources now

The Oceans need tidal energy development

The burning of fossil fuels for energy exacerbates climate change

The same CO2 from fossil fuels is leading to ocean acidification, a threat to pteropods and corral reefs, affecting the entire ecosystem

Coal power is the leading contributer to mercury in the ocean that works its way to the top of the food chain

Tidal energy will provide a CO2 free energy source that is completely predictable, can exist harmoniously with the ocean, and provide clean sustainable power for humanity

Opportunities

Page 11www.oceanrenewablepower.com

Opportunities →

Abundant Supply of Emission-Free Electricity Creation of a World Class Tidal Energy Project and

Industry Long Term and Sustainable Economic Development

Installed Peak Capacity (estimate)

HouseholdsEstimated CO2

Reduction

100 MW 36,000145,000 tons (est. 25,000 autos)

Annual Environmental Benefit

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Challenges

Securing funding for company and technology development in today’s financial climate

Designing technology that will withstand longterm effects of the marine environment

Continuing to monitor for environmental impacts of the technology and ensuring that it is beneficial for people and the environment

Developing and implementing projects as quickly as possible to address the energy problems of the present and future

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Current Activities

ORPC’s Commitment to Collaboration with Stakeholders

Continue to inform stakeholders of project progress - currently filing FERC draft pilot license application

On-going integration of stakeholder concerns into study plans and license application

Consultation with agencies on permitting and environmental issues

Develop[ing baseline study plans on marine mammals, fish, acoustics, and sediment transport

Move forwarding developing project while addressing concerns

Generate clean renewable energy with tidal power that will be used both on the Railbelt and in many Rural communities in Alaska

Establish Alaska as a leader in this exciting new field

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Summary and Conclusions

Going Forward Significant benefits

regarding clean energy, job creation and other economic development

Need collaborative process involving marine transport and service industries, other water users, regulatory agencies, and researchers.

All parties will benefit from pilot scale testing and initial small-scale commercial operations.

Update on ORPC-Alaska, Cook Inlet Tidal Project Presented to: Alaska Coastal Management Program Statewide Conference March 4, 2009 Presented by: Monty.

Documents

configuration slide

anchorage slide

tidal potential of orpc

seas slide

inlet tidal project

tidal energy project

developer of tidal

commercial river project