Quick Fact: OPALCO Tidal Energy Pilot Project

2024 Update:
OPALCO was awarded a grant from Department of Energy (DOE) to continue feasibility studies for this pilot project. During this period it will be determined if a tidal energy project in San Juan County could move to full development.

Tidal Energy to Increase Energy Resilience and Advance Renewable Energy Goals
Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is a non-profit cooperative electric utility providing service in San Juan County, WA in the heart of the Salish Sea. As an island community, San Juan County is at risk of unreliable electricity, as the vast majority of OPALCO’s power comes from submarine cables from mainland WA state. Because of this OPALCO is committed to implementing local energy generation resources and microgrids that strengthen the resilience of infrastructure, increase safety and reliability for the co-op members while keeping rates affordable.

As the US rushes to decarbonize, the northwest is forecasted to double load while initially reducing capacity, through the decommissioning of coal power plants. To prepare for near term capacity shortfalls, and long-term load doubling, OPALCO has been exploring local generation options to ensure resilience, reliability and ability to support the beneficial electrification and regulatory clean energy goals.

Solution: OPALCO/Orbital Marine Power Floating Tidal Turbine

Through a US DOE TEAMER project (PNNL-32302, Environmental Information for Siting and Operation of Floating Tidal Turbines in U.S. Waters), OPALCO and our project partners have explored siting of a ~2 MW floating tidal stream Orbital Marine Power turbines. The Rosario Strait was identified as a viable site with strong tidal flows in proximity to OPALCO infrastructure for interconnection, within minimal environmental impacts. The site is capable of hosting multiple tidal stream generators. With water being 800 times the density of air, tidal stream energy is to the northwest what solar is to the southwest. While solar is minimal in the winter, tidal power is strong and predictable year-round, but more importantly, it can be firmed with a small fraction of the storage, solar, or wind would require. It is estimated that each Orbital O2 tidal turbine would be able to power 400 homes in the OPALCO service territory.

Proprietary Technology: Orbital Marine Floating Tidal Turbine
The Orbital Marine Power O2 floating tidal turbine has a 242- foot hull with suspended rotors underneath that can be raised for on-site service. The turbine is anchored to the seafloor with mooring lines (See image to right). Floating approximately 5 feet above the waterline and 7.5 feet below, the unit houses two turbines with a combined output of ~2 MW. The device is 197 feet wide including the span of the blades when raised above water. This technology has been deployed for 11 months in the Orkney Islands, Scotland for operational and demonstrational purposes. It is the third grid connected device that Orbital has installed. Projects like this turbine would be built and sourced in the USA.

For deployment in the San Juan Islands, Orbital will install a ~2 MW unit with a 22-27% capacity factor. Estimated annual production is anticipated to be 4.6 to 5.6 GWh.

Work Completed to Date
In 2018 OPALCO began investigations of multiple tidal device types and deployment logistics in the San Juan Islands. OPALCO found the floating turbine technology to have the most promise considering the service ability, marine traffic and environmental parameters.

• Established relationship via MOU with Orbital Marine Power in Q1 2021 with informal exchange of information having previously started in mid-2019.
• PNNL and Orbital awarded US DOE TEAMER Grant (PNNL-32302, Environmental Information for Siting and Operation of Floating Tidal Turbines in U.S. Waters) Site assessment study completed Q4 2021.
• University of Washington and Orbital awarded US DOE TEAMER Grant (Orbital Marine Power, San Juan Islands Tidal Energy Characterization, Facility: University of Washington and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory).
• OPALCO awarded WA DOC CEF4 Grid Modernization Grant in Q4 2021 for preliminary design and permitting of floating tidal generation in Rosario Strait

Objectives and Funding
OPALCO proposes to install one floating tidal turbine in the Rosario Strait near Blakely Island, WA, or on Orcas Island, WA. For both sites the interconnection would be via an existing 18” conduit that were installed in 2004 from OPALCO underground vault on northwest Blakely Island and Southeast of Orcas Island to the sea floor. The maximum capacity would be ~2 MW with an annual output of 4.6 to 5.6 GWh, per device. The interconnection would connect to a substation on Blakely Island or Orcas Island where the energy would be transmitted via OPALCO’s 69kV transmission system to subsequent islands.

2024 DOE Grant

The current DOE (Department of Energy) grant is feasibility only and is competitive. If we are successful with this grant, then we could be eligible for more DOE funding. The grant will take place over a 12 month period officially started in June 2024. The feasibility study for this grant is a way to evaluate whether or not this project could be successful. For this project it will 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 (FERC)
• Community outreach

OPALCO is commencing engagement with:

• Local, state, and federal agencies
• Tribal Sovereign Nations
• Local Stakeholders
• OPALCO members

Key Milestones for the grant include:

• Site environmental studies
• Environmental Risk Register
• Draft License Application to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Additional Resources:

• August 2024 Island Way Workshop
• August 2024 Presentation
• September 2024 Tribal Engagement Summary
• Tidal Energy Flyer
• PNNL Report on Tidal Energy in San Juan County
• March 2023 OPALCO Member Presentation
• Orbital Marine
• March 2023 Island Way Workshop: Tidal Energy
• Orcas Power and Light Cooperative Tidal Preliminary Assessment and Planning Project (Washington State Department of Commerce Clean Energy Fund)
• Orbital Marine has done studies as part of their siting and permitting process. You will find a map of their project, permit application, dredging/drilling details, navigational risk assessment, project monitoring program, and project information document. Every location will have slightly different environmental factors and each area needs to be looked at individually. Find their information: https://marine.gov.scot/node/24693
• Documentary on the Tidal Project

FAQs

What is this project?

In 2024, OPALCO was awarded a grant from Department of Energy to continue feasibility studies for a tidal generator in Rosario Strait. During this period, it will be determined if a tidal energy project in San Juan County could move to full development. With an earlier grant, OPALCO and project partners explored siting of a ~2 MW floating tidal stream Orbital Marine Power turbine in our area. The Rosario Strait was identified as a viable site with strong tidal flows in proximity to OPALCO infrastructure for interconnection, with minimal environmental impacts.

Why is OPALCO exploring this?

As impacts of climate change and legislation drive up the costs of green power, OPALCO is committed to exploring local, renewable energy sources. With water being 800 times the density of air, tidal stream energy is to the northwest what solar is to the southwest. While solar is minimal in the winter, tidal power is strong and predictable year-round, but more importantly, it can be firmed with a small fraction of the storage solar or wind would require.

How much electricity does it provide? How many houses will that serve?

It will provide 5GWh of annual generation serving approximately 400 homes based on annual average usage in San Juan County.

How much is the current grant for?

This is a competitive grant through DOE for $3M. Based on the outcomes of the yearlong grant, our project could be selected to receive more grant funds and advance to the next phases.

What does feasibility study mean for this grant?

A feasibility study is a way to evaluate whether or not this project could be successful. For this project it will include:

• Environmental site study for physical and biological data that includes currents, turbulence, waves, ambient sound, water quality, fish tag receiver, sea spider, stable moor
• 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
• Community outreach

What studies have we done so far?

• PNNL Report on Tidal Energy in San Juan County
• Orcas Power and Light Cooperative Tidal Preliminary Assessment and Planning Project (Washington State Department of Commerce Clean Energy Fund)
• Orbital Marine has done studies as part of their siting and permitting process. You can see some of the information in the link below. You will find a map of their project, permit application, dredging/drilling details, navigational risk assessment, project monitoring program, and project information document. Every location will have slightly different environmental factors and each area needs to be looked at individually. https://marine.gov.scot/node/24693

How much will the project cost and how does OPALCO plan to pay for it?

The full cost of the project is still being determined. OPALCO only plans to move forward with the project if it is financially feasible and doesn’t affect OPALCO member rates. We would need to get grant funding for this project to move forward.

What company are you working with and why did you pick this company/technology?

Orbital Marine is a company out of Scotland that has installed this unit in the Orkney Islands. This is a similar marine environment to the San Juan Islands. They have successfully been generating electricity from their O2 since 2021.

Is Orbital going to ship the O2 unit to the San Juans and when is that going to happen?

No, if this project were to move forward a unit based on the O2 unit design would be manufactured in the US and installed in the water at that time.

Does the feasibility study involve installation of infrastructure in the water?

The site environmental study does have monitoring devices that will be submerged in the proposed location. This equipment will be underwater for a limited amount of time and will give us important information on tidal flow and marine wildlife. However, during the feasibility phase there are no plans to install any power generating infrastructure.

What is a FERC Preliminary Permit?

A FERC preliminary permit is an initial step, and it lets us have first priority in applying for a license for the project that is being studied. It does not allow for any specific work to be done – it is a step to ensure the study of the project’s feasibility. If the project is found feasible then we can use the data and info gathered to prepare an application for a license and then would need permits to get specific work done.

What groups are we consulting with?

OPALCO has been working with local, state, and federal agencies for permitting and environmental requirements. The team is meeting with Tribal Nations to get feedback and share information throughout the project.

How are we dealing with potential impacts such as noise, species displacement, collision, entanglement, disruption to sediment and its life? How is this affecting marine wildlife?

We are doing feasibility studies to determine the environmental impacts.

How are you working with the Tribal Nations?

Engagement and collaboration with the Tribal Nations will be a key aspect of project development. The Tribal Nations with ancestral lands in the San Juan Islands have strong spiritual and cultural ties to salmon and other aquatic species in the region that includes thousands of years of access and use for religious/cultural ceremonies, subsistence, and for commercial purposes. The proposed project would be in the Usual and Accustomed (U&A) fishing area for the region’s Tribal Nations who were signatory to the Treaty of Point Elliott. The team is meeting with these Tribal Nations to get feedback and share information throughout the project. We started these meeting 2 years ago and are continuing with these throughout the duration of the DOE/FERC process. There will be other opportunities through FERC for the Tribal Nations to give official comment on the project.

What Tribal Nations and who within those Tribal Nations are you meeting with?

We started our outreach to Tribal Nations over 2 years ago. It started with initial outreach to the Tribal Chairpersons from the Tribes we regularly consult based on our state, local, and federal agency recommendations. We have expanded our outreach to include the fisheries, environmental, and cultural departments and preservation officers as recommended by the Tribal Nations.  We have strived for early engagement and an inclusive approach based on working with each Tribal Nation to determine how best to engage them throughout this process. To date we have had 10 meetings with the Tribal Nations and additional meetings are scheduled over the next month.

Are the Tribal Nations supportive of this project?

We are not at a stage where Tribal Nations have formally commented or expressed their support. Since we are still in the feasibility phase of the project, we are still gathering and sharing information and helping define what should be studied. To date, the Tribal Nations have been responsive and engaged and have been great to work with. We will be sharing all information that is studied with the Tribal Nations.

How will this impact fishing in the area?

This is part of what is being studied during the feasibility stage. This aspect of the project will be looked at from various perspectives and we will be seeking input from Tribal Nations and the regulatory agencies involved with recreation and commercial fisheries and navigation.

Why don’t we just do solar and wind? Why is tidal important?

The energy world is changing dramatically due to climate impacts, carbon reduction legislation, and the transition toward renewable power. The goal of our state and nation is to transition away from fossil fuels and heat our homes and fuel our cars, trucks and ferries using electricity. This lofty goal is proving to be highly challenging. Given our remote location, our best bet for clean and affordable firm power is to build renewable generation projects locally. OPALCO wants to explore power options that can offer power when the sun isn’t shining, and the wind isn’t blowing. Tidal power has a much more consistent flow of energy and can offer power in the winter months when we use the most.

Will the device be visible from shore? Is it ugly? Will it depreciate home values?

The device will be visible from shore. There are always trade-offs for every power generation source, and we will need to weigh out the costs and benefits including visual impact.

Has a project of this kind been successful elsewhere with this technology?

Orbital Marine out of Scotland has had the floating stream O2 device in the water in the Orkney Islands. You can find pictures of the location with the technology at https://www.orbitalmarine.com/. They have been successfully harvesting power since 2021.

What’s the lifespan of the O2?

The FERC pilot license OPALCO is applying for is good for 10 years. The unit lifespan is 20 years. If it makes sense, there is potential for continuing with a full commercial license to use the unit for its full license.

What kind of maintenance does it require? And who is responsible for the maintenance?

The fine details of who would do what have yet to be determined. The current plan is that Orbital and OPALCO would split maintenance of the unit. Orbital would monitor and deal with most major things. OPALCO would do some of the more routine maintenance. This current grant will help determine some of these details.

How would this impact marine traffic in Rosario Strait?

This project is outside of the shipping channel based on AIS frequency maps.

How long will it take to break even?

Unknown. This is part of what will be determined during this study. Breaking even will be dependent on future regional power costs.

Will this save OPALCO money?

We won’t know until analysis is done. If it’s not about saving money the likelihood of going forward is small.

How much will this cost OPALCO members?

This is a grant funded project with the goal being nominal costs to OPALCO members. Regional power costs are going up so OPALCO is exploring ways to have some local, renewable generation that will be more cost effective that mainland power.

Have we consulted with regional experts on Orca Whales and other notable species in the area?

We have done initial engagement with the National Marine Fishery Service. This is the group we are required to work with because Orca Whales are in the area. They will dictate what studies we need to do and who we will need to consult. This is all mandated by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. We chose this location based on a study by PNNL that stated there was less marine mammal traffic than some of the other local locations.