The US' Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued its first pilot project licence for a tidal energy project to Verdant Power.
The 1MW facility is known as the Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy Project and will be installed in New York City's East River. The pilot licence allows the company to demonstrate and test its system over a ten-year period.
It will involve the installation of 30 underwater turbines, which Verdant said it will iomplement in stages.
Jon Wellinghoff, chairman of FERC, said, 'Issuing a pilot license for an innovative technology is a major step in the effort to help our country meet our renewable energy goals. FERC's pilot process is doing what it should; allow for exploration of new renewable technologies while protecting the environment.'
Linda Church Ciocci, executive director of the National Hydropower Association (NHA), added, 'NHA congratulates Verdant Power on receiving the first-ever commercial license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for their Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy project in New York's East River. The granting of this licence is an important step in developing new water power technologies which present a tremendous growth opportunity for clean, renewable electricity. Marine and hydrokinetic technologies could provide nearly 15,000MW by 2025 with the right polices in place; enough energy to power approximately 15 million American homes each year.'