A first for grid-connected tidal power
The Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy Project operated in New York City’s East River under the first commercially issued tidal-power license in the United States. Verdant’s deployment combined turbine engineering, environmental assessment, permitting, installation, and grid-connected operations.
Demonstrated, verified, and completed
Three turbines on Verdant’s TriFrame mount were commissioned in October 2020. The project achieved Technology Readiness Level 9, received independent power-performance verification under the IECRE System, and earned the National Hydropower Association’s 2021 OSAW Award. RITE was decommissioned in 2021 after completing its demonstration objectives.
From proof of concept to a licensed demonstration
Between 2006 and 2010, the RITE six-turbine array demonstrated grid-connected generation in New York’s East River. In January 2012, FERC issued a ten-year pilot license. Subsequent work included in-water testing with NREL and environmental research with regulators and fisheries specialists.
Installation, verification and results
Three turbines on the TriFrame mount were commissioned in October 2020. Performance assessment with EMEC followed in 2021, along with a retrieve-and-replace operation testing NREL thermoplastic blades. RITE supplied more than 312 MWh to the grid before decommissioning in 2021, with infrastructure removed to regulatory requirements.
Explore Gen5 turbine development and blade testing
The Gen5d blade design deployed at RITE later underwent full-scale destructive testing with the National Laboratory of the Rockies through TEAMER. Explore the separate Gen5 project for the test method, structural results and lessons informing future blade designs.