Feb 28 2008

Tacoma Power tidal energy project on hold

Posted by: Leonard Anderson

Washington state utility Tacoma Power has put its Tacoma Narrows pilot tidal power project on hold after a study found that tidal generation won't pencil out economically for at least 8 to 10 years. The utility on Feb. 28 said it will consider other resources such as wind, geothermal and biomass power to meet renewable energy targets.

Tacoma Power said a follow-up study to an earlier tidal study of the Narrows waterway by the Electric Power Research Institute found that the amount of energy that could be generated was less than EPRI estimated and that tapping the tides requires advancements in turbine technology.

"Tidal power technology is where wind technology was decades ago," said Tacoma Power Superintendent Gary Armfield. "Right now, it wouldn't be a sound nvestment at this site for Tacoma Power and its customers," Armfield said.

"We're not closing the door on this technology," said Tacoma Public Utilities Director Bill Gaines. "But we do recognize that its potential is longer-term. Right now we need to focus on short-term solutions to meet renewable energy requirements," he said in a press release.

Utilities, including PG&E, are eyeing tidal and wave energy to generate electricity and some have pilot programs in early stages.PG&E has entered into a long-term, two megawatt  commercial wave energy power purchasing agreement with Canada's Finavera Renewables Inc. Located off the Northern California coast, the Humboldt County Offshore Wave Energy Power Plant will be developed by Finavera Renewables. The project is expected to begin delivering renewable, clean electricity in 2012.

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