Offshore Wind Energy: Coastal Stakeholders event. Panel 3 audio from Dec 14th mtg

The Island Institute sponsored: Offshore Ocean energy: Tools and Information for Coastal Stakeholders on December 14, 2010. Panel three of the meeting included people and organizations in Rhode Island & Massachusetts, states which are further into the offshore wind planning & decisionmaking than Maine.The panel also includes a rep of tidal energy developer ORPC.  Moderated by Dave McGlinchey, Manomet Center for Conservation Science.

Panel 3 Lessons Learned from Siting Renewable Energy Projects
* Introduction by Dave MccGlinchey 2 minutes

* Kim Gaffett, Mayor Block Island. 15 min

* Rick Ballavance,Rhode Island Party & Charterboat Association 15 min

* John Weber, Massachusetts Coastal Zone Mgmt 20 min
* Glen Marquis, Ocean Renewable Power Company 13 min

* Question and Answer Session 19 min

Tidal power in Cobscook Bay - preliminary results called "promising".

Pretty much a puff piece, but there is some cause for optimism there too.

Tidal Power System Tests Yield Promising Results
Maine Public Radio News. 08/18/2010 11:57 AM ET  

That's according to Ocean Renewable Power Company, which has been testing an ocean energy power plant installed in Cobscook Bay off Eastport.

Tests of a system designed to extract energy from Maine's tides are yielding promising results. That's according to Ocean Renewable Power Company, which has been testing an ocean energy power plant it installed in Cobscook Bay off Eastport.

The company says the 60-kilowatt Beta Power System has successfully generated "grid-compatible" power from the bay's tidal currents. The company plans to use the test results to fine-tune the design of a commercial version scheduled to be installed in Eastport next year.

That so-called TidGen system, which will be connected to the New England power grid through Bangor Hydro Electric Company, is expected to generate enough electricity to power 50 to 75 homes, company officials say.

"Proving the efficacy of the Beta Power System and its ability to generate grid-compatible power day in and day out is a huge milestone for America's ocean energy industry," says ORPC President and CEO Chris Sauer in a statement announcing the results. "It reaffirms the limitless opportunities to advance the nation's renewable energy agenda and ensure a more sustainable future."

Company officials say tidal power has the potential to be a billion dollar industry in Maine within the next decade, and generate hundreds of jobs.