Key facts
- The United States has a tidal energy potential of approximately 2,300 terawatt hours per year, enough to cover 57% of its 2019 electricity demand.
- A small, modular tidal turbine is being tested off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, by an Alaska-based company.
- The testing aims to assess the technology's performance, durability, and suitability for commercial scaling.
- This technology could simplify installation and maintenance, especially in remote coastal communities.
- Europe is leading in tidal energy R&D, but the US is increasing its investment through Department of Energy programs.
A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) indicates that the United States possesses a tidal energy potential capable of meeting 57% of its annual electricity demand. This significant untapped resource is being explored by Sitkana, an Alaska-based company testing a novel small, modular tidal turbine in the strong currents off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The pilot project at the Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative’s (MRECo) Bourne Tidal Test Site (BTTS) aims to gather crucial data on the technology's performance, durability, and suitability for commercial scaling, particularly in remote coastal areas.
Despite the vast potential, the U.S. currently has no commercially operating tidal power plants. The modular design of Sitkana's turbine could offer advantages in installation, scaling, and maintenance compared to larger, seabed-affixed prototypes. The Cape Cod location, with water speeds reaching up to four knots, provides an ideal environment to stress-test the system and observe its interactions with the marine environment and wildlife.
Globally, ocean energy is also seen as a significant contributor to energy needs. A report by Ocean Energy Europe suggests ocean energy could supply 21% of the European Union's current energy consumption and 13% of global electricity demand. While Europe leads in tidal energy research and development spending, the United States is increasing its efforts through substantial funding programs from the Department of Energy. Other U.S. initiatives include prototype devices being tested in the Great Lakes and underwater kites being explored on the West Coast.