Since the initial dreams of Dexter Cooper and FDR to harness the tides of Passamaquoddy Bay as embodied by the 1930’s Quoddy Project, engineers and politicians have continued to be interested and have attempted to bring this dream to fruition. Various studies and proposals have surfaced over the years. In the 1970’s a small scale project was proposed by the Passamaquoddy Tribe. Today this site at Half Moon Cove remains the obvious choice for America’s first major Tidal Power Installation to harness and demonstrate the natural power available in this region.
Half Moon Cove: October 2010
The awarding of a three year preliminary permit from FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) to Tidewalker Engineering of Trescott, Maine marked a new phase of alternative energy development in Maine and specifically Washington County. The revival of this project from its 1970’s inception has been taken on by the principal drafter of the earlier proposal. During the three year period, Tidewalker modified project plans by proposing a mode of operation which will not alter the tidal function within Half-Moon Cove while decreasing the environmental footprint. Project costs have also been reduced considerably by adopting hydro-kinetic technology and by providing an alternative to a rockfill dam.
Today in 2010, with the demand for energy alternatives and a broader understanding of environmental consequences associated with energy production, this project is positioned to meet the needs of the region in a number of ways:
- Bring a dynamic and unique project to an economically depressed region that utilizes its primary natural resource (extreme tidal fluctuation).
- Produce up to 10 Megawatts of power from an optimized design and configuration at the designated site.
- Produce power at a constant cost at a predictable rate making it a sound investment for the developers, the utilities and the consumer.
- Produce jobs associated with the construction and maintenance, tourism as well as a light industry that can utilize the specialized energy source from this plant (e.g., greenhouse)
During this next phase of the project, Tidewalker Engineering will be completing a revised feasibility study assessing in complete detail the technical, financial and environmental aspects of the project with due consideration of a well defined mode of operation. Concurrently, financial support and project investors will be sought.
Once all preliminary phases have been completed, the licensing process will be undertaken. A FERC preliminary permit is normally granted for three years and it is now projected that by 2013 work on the construction of a Tidal power facility can begin.
For additional information on Tidewalker Associates and tidal power development, please contact placecove@gmail.com.
