Update on ORPCAlaska, Cook Inlet Tidal Project

1
Emission-Free Electricity from the Boundless
Energy of the Worlds Rivers and Seas
Update on ORPC-Alaska, Cook Inlet Tidal Project
Presented to Alaska Coastal Management
Program Statewide Conference March 4, 2009
Presented by Monty Worthington Alaska Projects
Director ORPC Alaska 911 W. 8th Ave., Suite
205 Anchorage, AK 99501 mworthington_at_oceanrenewabl
epower.com
2
Introduction
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
3
ORPCs Projects in Alaska
Tidal energy project in Northern Cook Inlet
View of Cairn Point portion of permit area from
Anchorage
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
4
ORPCs 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
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
5
The Tidal Cycle
The sun, the moon, and the tidal cycle ...
Draiwing/graph courtesy of Mirko Previsic EPRI
6
Velocity varying through tidal cycles
6
Graph courtesy of Mirko Previsic, EPRI
7
Velocity and Power in a tidal resource
7
Graph courtesy of Mirko Previsic, EPRI
8
Tidal Potential of the United States
8
courtesy of Mirko Previsic EPRI
9
9
10
ORPC Cook Inlet Tidal Site boundaries
10
11
ORPC Cook Inlet Tidal site with ADCP lines
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
12
Cairn Point ADCP transects
12
Page 2
13
Fire Island ADCP transects
13
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
14
Cook Inlet Bottom Samples
14
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
15
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

16
Tidal Technologies 5 years ago
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
17
Tidal Technologies Today
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
18
Tidal TGU - ORPCs 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.

www.oceanrenewablepower.com
19
TGUs Stack together to form OCGen Modules
1 MW OCGen Module 4 x 1 Configuration
19
20
Tidal OCGen Module Configurations
1 MW Peak Generating Capacity in a 6-Knot Current
Low Profile Horizontal (2x2) Configuration
Vertical (4x1) Configuration
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
21
ORPC Tidal Demonstration Project 2008 Eastport,
Maine
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.

• 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.

22
ORPC Turbine Generator Unit (TGU)
Core Component of OCGen Technology
Patent applications filed
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
23
Tidal Current Deployment Concept Front Elevation
Water Surface
4 TGU (4X1) Tidal OCGen Module
40 Ft. Min. Typical Clearance
Mooring Harness
Mooring Lines
Passive Depth Control System
Power Cable
Bottom
Chain
Anchor
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
Page 6
24
24
25
Tidal Deployment
Vertical (4x1) Configuration
Horizontal (2x2) Configuration
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
Page 7
26
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

27
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

28

• 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.

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

29
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 100s 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.

30
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

31
Opportunities
Page 11
www.oceanrenewablepower.com
32
Challenges

• Securing funding for company and technology
  development in todays 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

Page 12
33
Current Activities

• ORPCs 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
• Developing 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

Page 12
34
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.

Page 13