Ocean Renewable Power Company has been awarded up to $1.5m by the US Department of Energy to develop its RivGen marine hydrokinetic technology for rivers.
The company demonstrated the device in the Alaskan village of Igiugig in the Kvichak River over the past two years, displacing the community’s diesel fuel use by one-third.
To initiate the follow-on project at Igiugig, the DOE has approved phase one funds of $392,500.
“We’re thrilled to continue work with our partners in Igiugig to reduce and stabilize their cost of energy, and in so doing, strengthen the community’s sustainability,” said ORPC chief executive Chris Sauer.
“We are moving forward to replicate our collaboration in Igiugig in other remote communities in Alaska, Canada and worldwide.”
Image: RivGen power system in Kvichak River (ORPC)
