After several environmental studies and careful review by multiple agencies, the Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative (MRECo) has received final approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers to install the Bourne Tidal Test Site within the Cape Cod Canal. "We are very pleased the Corps of Engineers has determined that the Bourne Tidal Test Site will have no impact on the critical mission of the Cape Cod Canal and the local environment",said John Miller, Executive Director of the MRECo.

Funding for the test site was provided by the Seaport Economic Council. The site is located well outside the commercial channel and tucked into an accessible spot near the railroad bridge on the mainland side of the canal.
Water velocity has been measured at over 2 meters/second (4 knots) on the maximum tidal cycle in both directions, enough to turn different types of tidal turbines to test their efficiency, power output, robustness and more. Turbines of up to 3 meters can be tested with vertical lift provided for easy access.

MRECo expects to install the platform in November and is accepting proposals for testing in the spring of 2018. Organizations, individuals, companies, and research institutions that would be interested in using the site for testing their own tidal energy devices and/or marine and remote sensors should contact John Miller at: director@mreconewengland.org; 508.728.5825 

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(Marion, MA) The good news is that the current does not run as fast in Muskeget Channel as anecdotal accounts would have you believe. The turbulent waters between Martha's Vineyard and Muskeget Island (a small uninhabited island off Nantucket) have been considered dangerous to pleasure boaters due to torrents of water that flow there. Ten years ago, the town of Edgartown wanted to pursue clean energy solutions for their community and the prospect of capturing just a little bit of that fast current that roils eastward of Chappaquiddick would be something to achieve. The clean energy committee worked with various parties to conduct resource and environmental studies to characterize the area and to locate a spot where the conditions would favor tidal or current energy production. Since 2013 the Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative of New England, Inc. (MRECo) has led this effort.

Earlier this summer, MRECo, worked with partners to conduct additional resource assessments. WaterCube (Daniel Island, SC) conducted water velocity profile surveys of the area and located areas where the current flows up to 2m/second on all tidal cycles.
( To see studies completed to date: http://www.mrec.umassd.edu/resourcecenter/muskegettidalproject)

MRECo is now reaching out to tidal developers worldwide to find the best technology for the channel. So far over thirty turbine developers have been contacted and 25% of those have entered discussions with MRECo.

For more information, please contact: John Miller, Executive Director, 508-728-5825; director@mreconewengland.org.