Marine energy system introduced at Brunswick Landing event

ORPC, Inc. unveiled its first commercial RivGen Power System on April 17 with the help of Gov. Janet Mills before a crowd of over 150 people gathered at Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Association’s Brunswick Landing.

Attendees toured the RivGen device, learning about various sub-components of the marine renewable energy system from ORPC engineers.

The RivGen device will be shipped to Igiugig, Alaska, for installation and operation in the Kvichak River this summer to provide electricity to the remote community of Igiugig there, offsetting the community’s diesel fuel use by up to one-half and moving it closer to using diesel fuel for emergency backup only.

“ORPC is a shining example of how we can harness innovation to grow our economy and create a clean, sustainable energy future,” said Mills. “I am proud of ORPC’s continued exploration and growth and look forward to the leaps and bounds they achieve in markets around the world and here at home in Maine.”

Worldwide, ORPC is the only company to have built, operated and delivered power to a utility grid from a renewable tidal energy project (in Maine), and to a remote community grid from a renewable river project (in Alaska).

“ORPC’s RivGen Power System is the future of sustainability for 2 billion people mostly indigenous people around the world,” said ORPC chairman, co-founder and CEO, Chris Sauer. “ORPC provides a marine renewable energy solution that combines our patented power systems with smart grid electronics and energy storage to build the no-carbon microgrids of the future.”

The Maine Real Estate & Development Association has selected Bateman Partners’ Topsham Care Center as one of the top six real estate developments in Maine in 2018.

The MEREDA board of directors has selected exemplary projects from across the state, completed in 2018, which not only embody MEREDA’s belief in responsible real estate development, but also exemplify best practices in the industry, contributing to excellent jobs and increased tax bases.

Each of the six projects was selected in part based upon criteria including: noteworthy and significant project completed in 2018, environmental sustainability, economic impact, energy efficiency, social impact, uniqueness, difficulty of development and job creation. A recognition ceremony will take place at a MEREDA awards event May 7.

Get the dirt on Westport Island mushrooms at farmers market

A new vendor joined the group as farmers set up their tents at the Brunswick Town Mall May 3, to kick off the new season of the Brunswick Farmers Market

Lisa Jonassen and Lou DiSalvo operate Island Mushroom Company on Westport Island, where they produce fungi in an all-natural controlled environment, starting with specific mushroom cultures.

The partners cultivate oyster, king trumpet, shiitake, chestnut, lion’s mane, and pioppino mushrooms. They also produce dried mushrooms, medicinal mushroom tinctures, mushroom powder for seasoning, and mushroom crumbles. Jonassen and DiSlavo have worked with mushrooms, both wild and cultivated, as a hobby for many years.

In related news, Big Barn Coffee is selling burlap coffee bags for $3 each, with proceeds to benefit the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. The burlap coffee bags are bio-degradable, environmentally friendly and can be used as a weed barrier and as linings for planters.

The Brunswick Farmers’ Market is a community of 16 local farmers and artisans offering food, fiber and flowers 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday and Friday through late fall.

The ORPC team in front of the RivGen device just prior to RivGen Commercial Product Launch festivities at Brunswick Landing.

New this season, Lisa Jonassen and Lou DiSalvo are offering products from Island Mushroom Company on Westport Island at the Brunswick Farmers Market.