ocean renewable power company chris sauer, president & ceo 2013 arctic energy summit akureyri,...
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Ocean Renewable Power Company
Chris Sauer, President & CEO
2013 Arctic Energy SummitAkureyri, IcelandOctober 9, 2013
www.orpc.co
About ORPC• Established in 2004 to develop new technology and eco-
conscious projects that generate emission-free electricity from rivers and oceans while creating substantial local economic benefits
• Modular, effective and proven core technology component (turbine generator unit, or TGU) with low vertical profile that has been adapted for tidal, river and deep water ocean current applications
• An industry leader in development of hydrokinetic energy projects, including community, agency and other stakeholder outreach, environmental protocols, monitoring and licensing, supply chain development, and maximizing community economic opportunities
• Headquartered in Portland, Maine; operations center in Eastport, Maine; and project development office in Anchorage, Alaska. Currently 25 employees.2
www.orpc.co3
Cobscook Bay TidGen® Power System is the first
hydrokinetic ocean energy project to deliver power to an
electric utility grid in all of the Americas.
Making HistoryAugust 2012
www.orpc.co4
• Self-deploying pontoon support structure tested in Alaska in 2011.
• Power system tested in Maine in 2012.
• Next-generation system to be installed in Igiugig, Alaska in 2014.
RivGen® Power System
www.orpc.co
Energy Supply Issues in the Arctic• Reliable energy supply in Arctic communities is critical, a
life-or-death situation.
• Arctic communities are consumers of energy that is not often affordable, reliable or accessible to them, greatly impacting their sustainability.
• Energy supply to Arctic communities is almost always imported from elsewhere.
• Responsible and sustainable development of renewable and extractive energy
resources is a challenge (and an opportunity) in the Arctic.
• Because of remoteness and low population densities, energy supply issues in the Arctic are
not in the forefront when energy policy is being developed.5
www.orpc.co
Arctic Renewable Energy Development
• The harsh weather, fragile environment, remoteness and unique cultures of Arctic communities make sustainable development of any kind a challenge.
• Introducing new technology into the Arctic environment adds a whole new level of complexity.
• Because populations are small and dispersed over large areas, Arctic communities don’t offer the same profit potential as large cities.
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Challenges
Opportunities• The Arctic has abundant renewable energy resources, including
wind, solar, geothermal, river and tidal current, and wave energy. • The “avoided cost” of new electricity supply is very high.• Technology exists today for integrating different types of
renewable energy into a complete energy supply solution.• Arctic communities are motivated and committed to new solutions.
www.orpc.co
Success Model
Successful Projects
Reliable, economic, sustainable energy supply for and by
northern peoples that create jobs and other
long term economic opportunities
Technology & Project
DevelopersRenewable
energy expertiseNew technology
Replication
Arctic Communities & Companies
Community SupportLocal knowledge
& expertiseInfrastructure
GovernmentPolicies
promoting development
Sensible regulations
Funding assistance
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