Maine firm testing underwater turbine in Alaska
Portland-based Ocean Renewable Power Co. is planning to install a prototype of its underwater river turbine technology in a small Alaskan town this July.
The Associated Press reported ORPC has received approval from the Alaska Energy Authority and Denali Commission to install its RivGen Power System in a river in Igiugig, a small community nearly 250 miles southwest of Anchorage. The device is expected to generate half of the town's electricity.
Christopher Sauer, ORPC's CEO, said testing the device in Alaska is an important step forward in the company's efforts to commercialize the technology. He added that if the company can raise enough capital, the device could go into production within two years.
In testing the technology, ORPC said it will monitor the turbine's impact on the Alaskan town's power grid and its impact on fish. The company said larger fish typically move away from the turbine blades when they get too close, while smaller fish can swim right through.
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