Maine Tidal Power Company Getting Nearly $5 Million in Federal Grants

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today announced a major new federal investment in clean energy in Maine. The Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) in Portland has won two Department of Energy grants for a total of nearly $5 million to help them further developtheir tidal power technology.

"This was a highly competitive grant program. The fact that ORPC won 2 of the 17 awards is an indication of how successful their technology is. This funding will help Maine continue to be a leader in developing new sources of clean energy that create good paying jobs right here at home," Pingree said.

Chris Sauer, President of ORPC, said these grants will help the company further develop their technology.

"We've proven the technology but this federal investment will give us the boost we need to take it to the next level. And it's going to mean more jobs and investment in Maine," Sauer said.

ORPC became the first company to connect tidal power generators to the electric grid with a project currently underway near Eastport.

One of the DOE grants for $1.9 million will help ORPC develop new ways to monitor tidal current and develop new ways to get more energy out of that current. The other grant for $3 million will help them study the components that convert water currents into electricity and develop more efficient equipment that can be used in tidal, wave and river current generators.

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