A partnership between Maine headquartered marine energy technology developer ORPC and Schneider Electric aims to advance the use of the resource for remote communities.
Through the collaboration the two companies plan to instal microgrids and marine power systems that can provide baseload renewable power solutions in remote areas.
The microgrid systems will include Schneider Electric’s energy storage and smart microgrid controllers, which will be integrated with ORPC’s RivGen river current based power systems.
“The combination of ORPC’s RivGen power system and Schneider Electric’s energy storage and smart microgrid controller can serve as a powerful tool to address climate change,” says Alexandre Paris, senior vice president and COO of ORPC.
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“For communities already using diesel generators, this system can provide a baseload energy solution and replacement for existing systems.”
ORPC reports receiving inbound interest in its power systems from over 40 countries and together with Schneider Electric’s global reach, the two companies envision building a global pipeline of projects for communities without access to electricity or which rely on diesel powered off-grid systems.
Bala Vinayagam, SVP Microgrid Line of Business from Schneider Electric, says the ability to provide cutting-edge sustainable solutions like ORPC’s RivGen power system paves the way to establish marine energy as a commercially viable solution in the renewable energy mix.
“The path to net zero includes many forms of decarbonisation and having microgrid systems with ORPC’s technology only widens the impact on what our solutions can provide.”
Schneider Electric and ORPC are already working on implementing the solution with the remote, tribal community of Igiugig, Alaska. When the project is completed in the summer of 2023, the system should form the grid for the community, moving the existing diesel generators to back-up and enabling the village to operate without diesel for up to 90% of the time.
In Igiugig, ORPC’s RivGen system has proven successful operating through three winters with temperatures going as low as -40oC.
Schneider Electric supplied a battery energy storage system with EcoStruxure microgrid operation.
