Nova Scotia Renewables Public Education in Tidal Energy
FORCE
FORCE (Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy) is Canada's leading research centre for in-stream tidal energy, located in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia. FORCE is designed to test the performance and interaction of in-stream tidal turbines in the Bay of Fundy environment. Find out more at the FORCE website.
Potential
Each day, 100 billion tonnes of seawater flows in and out of the Bay of Fundy - more than the combined flow of the world's freshwater rivers.
Research from US-based Electric Power Research Institute identifies the Bay of Fundy as perhaps the most potent site for tidal power generation in North America.
When fully developed, new in-stream tidal technology has the potential to generate 300 megawatts of green, emission free energy from only two locations in the Bay of Fundy - enough energy to power close to 100,000 homes.
Frontier
Unlike a barrage or dam system, in-stream tidal devices are placed in the flowing tidal stream to harness its kinetic energy.
The technology is brand new - many devices exist only as a concept. It will take time to test and refine these devices to create a commercially viable technology appropriate to the Fundy environment.
The Nova Scotia government has moved forward on two fronts by:
- sponsoring a $250,000 Strategic Environmental Assessment - helping identify the potential impact of these devices on marine life, fisheries and many other factors. This will help decide how to develop this resource.
- creating a streamlined policy framework for developers
- inviting developers from around the world to demonstrate in-stream tidal devices through a common demonstration facility in the Minas Channel area of the Bay of Fundy.
The three candidates in negotiations for first occupancy in the proposed facility are:
Proposed Location
After 12 months and more than $1 million in research, marine energy experts have identified what they believe to be an ideal site for Nova Scotia's first demonstration turbines.
The site is in the Minas Passage area of the Bay of Fundy near Black Rock, 10 kilometres west of Parrsboro, with features that include:
- water depths up to 45 metres at low tide
- a sediment-free bedrock sea floor
- straight flowing currents
- water speeds up to 10 metres per second on ebb and flow
A number of conditions must be met before anything goes in the water, including the completion of:
- site-specific environmental assessment
- provincial and federal permits and approvals
- a land lease agreement between province and developers
History
Harnessing the power of the tides is not a new idea. As early as the 12th century, tidal mills were built in Britain, France and Spain.
In 1607, a mill powered partially by tidal energy was built in Port Royal, Nova Scotia.
These early mills converted roughly 25 to 75 kilowatts of energy from tidal power - enough to power about 10 modern homes.
There are currently three tidal power plants in the world - one in France, one in Russia, and one in Nova Scotia.
These are all barrage plants that use dams to hold the water before releasing it through a generator - similar to conventional hydroelectric plants.
Nova Scotia's Tidal Generating Station has been operating since 1984. It uses Bay of Fundy tides to produce 20 megawatts of energy - enough to power about 6,000 homes.
Links
Guidelines For Developers: An overview for in-stream tidal energy developers.
Hot Spots: A map of potential tidal energy sites identified by EPRI.
Policy: An outline of Nova Scotia's new policy framework for offshore renewable energy.
EPRI: An in-stream tidal energy systems study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute.
OEER: The Offshore Energy Environmental Research association website.
OREG: The Ocean Renewable Energy Group website.
Nova Scotia Power Inc.: NSPI's activity in tidal energy.
Questions related to policy and permitting may be directed to:
Sandra Farwell
E-mail: farwelse@gov.ns.ca
Tel: (902) 424-1700