| Summary: | Orbital Marine Power (Orbital) is seeking to deploy their floating tidal technology in US waters and has considered the possibility of deploying in temperate waters including the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and the Western Passage, Maine. It has become apparent that some of the most promising tidal sites in the US are located in high latitudes, within the State of Alaska. Within the state, the most likely sites for grid-scale tidal energy are in Cook Inlet, with the largest city (Anchorage) located on the shores, ready and able to absorb the electrical output of a commercial scale tidal development. Like all potential marine energy deployment sites, characterizing the site, understanding the environmental interactions with floating tidal technology, and mapping a pathway towards regulatory acceptance will be needed to site and permit a tidal development in Cook Inlet. A previous TEAMER investment allowed Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to develop a framework to select environmentally compliant sites. The same framework is proposed for application here, within the very different environment of Cook Inlet, such as sea ice and seasonal variabilities of sea water temperature. The report is based on a modeling analysis, a desk-top review and analysis, focusing on the characteristics of the tidal technology and environmental monitoring information on the marine animals and habitats that are specific to high latitudes, particularly those that are endemic to Cook Inlet. The analysis describes the state and federal authorizations required for deploying a floating tidal energy technology, with an emphasis on how they differ from those in Washington/Oregon and Maine. Environmentally compliant sites within Cook Inlet will be selected based on environmental, logistical, and regulatory criteria. Recommendations on monitoring needs and adaptive management practices will be provided. The need to acquire social acceptance for the Orbital technology will also be explored and general recommendations prepared to encourage ...
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