In-stream Tidal Technology: Small-scale Demonstration in the Bay of Fundy

Like a windmill under the water, “in-stream” tidal energy technology generates electricity from the natural flow of tidal currents. Predictable, renewable, and emissions free, tidal energy could provide up to 10 per cent of the world’s electricity supply.

A Force of NatureAround the FORCE test area (red box), the Minas Passage narrows to a width of 5.4km (green line), pushing 14 billion tonnes of water every tide cycle. This helps create the world’s highest tides, and water speeds over 20km/hr, containing an estimated 7,000 megawatts of potential power (equal to the energy needs of roughly 2 million homes).

Spot the TurbineA single device, such as the 16m-diameter Cape Sharp Tidal turbine (pictured left), occupies less than 1/1000th of the cross-sectional area of the Minas Passage. Testing at this small scale reduces the chance of significant environmental effects; in addition, monitoring programs for fish, lobster, marine mammals, seabirds, and marine noise are used to detect any potential changes. By 2016, total investment in research and monitoring in Nova Scotia surpassed $15 million.

Cross Section: FORCE Test AreaLocated in the Minas Passage, FORCE (the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy) is Canada’s lead test facility for in-stream tidal technology. Near FORCE, the Passage reaches a width of 5.4km and a depth of 130m. Two turbines, drawn to scale, can be seen within the test area.

FORCE Test Area

By the Numbers

0.001 A single device occupies about 1/1000th of the cross-sectional area in the Minas Passage.

5 Number of test spots at the FORCE site.

22 Total power (in megawatts) allocated to FORCE test area.

7,000 Total estimated power (in megawatts) in Minas Passage.