A tidal energy company headquartered in Alaska is conducting pilot testing of a compact, modular turbine system in the tidal currents near Cape Cod in Massachusetts. The testing initiative aims to evaluate the turbine’s performance and resilience in actual marine conditions, with the goal of determining whether the technology could eventually be scaled for commercial deployment.
According to research conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in 2021, the technical potential of marine energy sources across the United States totals approximately 2,300 terrawatt hours annually, representing about 57 percent of the nation’s 2019 electricity consumption. Despite this substantial potential, the United States currently operates no commercial tidal power facilities. The modular system under evaluation at the Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative’s Bourne Tidal Test Site could represent a meaningful step toward developing the nation’s untapped tidal resources and bringing this technology closer to commercial viability.
Unlike most existing tidal energy prototypes, which consist of large structures anchored to the ocean floor, the system being tested features a smaller, modular design. This approach could offer advantages in installation, expansion, and maintenance, potentially making the technology feasible even in remote coastal communities. The Cape Cod location provides ideal conditions for testing, with water currents reaching speeds up to four knots, allowing researchers to assess system performance under demanding conditions and gather insights into wildlife interactions.
The potential applications extend beyond the United States. According to a recent report from Ocean Energy Europe, ocean energy could supply approximately 21 percent of current European Union energy consumption and roughly 13 percent of global electricity demand. Europe has historically led investment in tidal energy research and development, though the United States is increasing its commitment through substantial funding programs from the Department of Energy. Additional tidal technology research is underway in other U.S. locations, including prototype development in the Great Lakes and testing of underwater kite systems on the West Coast.
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