The Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy (RITE) pilot project used six full-scale hydrokinetic turbines to capture the power of river tides and currents and convert it into electricity. Located in New York City’s East River, it is the first and only grid-connected tidal array project in the world. RITE project developers are seeking approval to install up to 30 additional turbines in the near future.
The multi-phase Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy (RITE) project is making waves in the renewable energy sector. New York–based Verdant Power Inc. launched the RITE project in an effort to commercialize its kinetic hydropower “Free Flow System,” which deploys three-bladed turbines in fast-moving tides and rivers to generate energy.
Through the RITE Project Phase 2 Demonstration, which lasted from 2006 through 2008, Verdant Power proved that the 4th Generation (Gen4) Free Flow System could function successfully as an efficient source of renewable energy. Using six full-scale turbines, the system delivered 80 MWh of grid-connected energy from the tides of the East River to New York City customers with no power quality problems (Figure 1).
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| 1. Powering the Big Apple. The RITE pilot project deployed hydrokinetic turbines in the East River. During the implementation phase, Verdant Power worked with Con Edison to interconnect the array with its distribution system so New York City customers could receive power from tidal energy. The tip of Roosevelt Island appears on the far right. Courtesy: Verdant Power Inc. |
In March, POWER interviewed Trey Taylor, Verdant Power’s cofounder and president, and Aaron Hernandez, assistant to company cofounder and CEO, Ronald Smith.
Preparations for the RITE Phase 3 build-out are now under way. They began with Verdant Power’s submission of an application for a pilot license to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in December 2010, Taylor said. If granted, this license would allow Verdant Power to build out the RITE Project in the East Channel of the East River to a 1-MW, 30-turbine Generation 5 (Gen5) Free Flow System and to commercially deliver the energy generated by the field to local customers. The RITE Phase 3 project is expected to generate an average of up to 2,400 MWh annually.
“The local residents on Roosevelt Island have stated that ‘they want this power project in their backyard!’” Taylor told POWER. “Residents refer to the area surrounding the East River of New York City as ‘Asthma Alley.’ They know that the RITE Project is a start at cleaning up this reach of the river and section of the city.”
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