OPALCO explores tidal energy pilot project

A successful effort means locally generated, clean, reliable power for the islands

||| FROM ORCAS POWER & LIGHT CO-OP |||

Earlier this year, Orcas Power & Light Cooperative was awarded a grant through the Department of Energy to continue looking at the feasibility of tidal energy in San Juan County.

As our region transitions away from fossil fuels, there likely will be times when we don’t have enough electricity to meet demand. OPALCO is exploring clean, reliable power sources that can be generated locally to fill that gap.

“We aren’t sure if tidal power is the right direction for San Juan County, but the energy shortfalls we’re looking at make it imperative that we explore local, renewable energy projects,” General Manager Foster Hildreth says. “We are very interested in the amount of energy that could come from tidal flows and are looking forward to this opportunity from the Department of Energy to explore the feasibility of this pilot project.”

History of the Project

In 2018, OPALCO began investigating multiple tidal device types and deployment logistics in the San Juan Islands. OPALCO found the floating turbine technology to have the most promise, especially considering serviceability, marine traffic and environmental parameters.

In 2021, OPALCO received a grant from the Department of Commerce for a preliminary design and siting assessment of this project. The technology OPALCO is exploring is a floating stream device currently deployed in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. The Orkney Islands have a similar marine environment to the San Juan Islands. If this project moves forward, the device installed in the San Juan Islands would be an upgraded version built in the United States.

With the prior grant funding, OPALCO determined an optimal location in Rosario Strait near Blakely Island that could be connected to our grid with existing infrastructure. The proposed device has a 5-gigawatt-hour annual generation.

2024 Department of Energy Grant

The DOE grant is for feasibility of this project in Rosario Strait, exploring the merits and viability, including environmental risks and community benefits. If the tests are successful, the project could be eligible for more DOE funding. The 12-month grant officially started in June 2024. The feasibility study is a way to evaluate whether this project could be successful.

The milestones for this grant include:

• Environmental site study for physical and biological data that includes mapping the sea floor, assessing tidal flow, monitoring tagged fish going through the area and measuring underwater noise levels.

• Environmental risk register using a third-party objective analysis that evaluates key issues the project will face.

• Draft license application to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

• Outreach with tribal sovereign nations; local, state and federal agencies; and co-op members.

Projects like this typically take at least four or five years to get permitted and installed. OPALCO is committed to sharing the progress and study findings as it explores this technology. This project is in early stages and is many steps from a power-generating device being put in the water.

Given our remote location, our best bet for clean and affordable firm power is to build renewable generation projects locally. One of OPALCO’s goals is to provide four-hour backup power in case the mainland grid goes down. Achieving this lofty goal is challenging. It will require a large influx of grant funding and strong member support.

As we build a local, renewable power supply on our beautiful islands, we face the cost of these projects, aesthetic tradeoffs and limited area for siting them. We need you, our co-op members, to work closely with OPALCO to help determine our energy future.

For more details on the tidal project and other projects, visit www.opalco.com.