Fundy Tidal Energy Environmental Monitoring Technical Workshop

FERN, FORCE, Ocean Networks Canada Centre for Enterprise and Engagement (ONCCEE) and the Acadia Tidal Energy Institute (ATEI) co-hosted a successful 2-day technical experts workshop, focused on tidal energy environmental monitoring tools and systems, during 10-12 January 2012 at the Prince George Hotel in Halifax, NS.  The 38 attendees from Canada and the US included scientists with expertise in marine environmental monitoring, industry representatives with core knowledge of marine environmental monitoring tools / systems and emerging technologies, and representatives from tidal energy demonstration and development sectors.  The purpose of the workshop was to address Bay of Fundy tidal energy science needs, challenges and gaps in monitoring technologies, and instrument and infrastructure requirements for effective monitoring in high flow, high energy locations. 

Working groups were chaired by Graham Daborn, Richard Karsten, Gary Melvin and Brian Polagye.  This technical workshop is expected to be followed by a series of small, focused science and industry workshops that will address specific environmental monitoring challenges for the developing marine renewable energy sector, both regionally and nationally. Advances in monitoring technologies and their use at and near tidal energy development sites will inform project developers and governments and help address environmental concerns posed by marine renewable energy regulators, ENGOs and the public.  A report on the workshop will be available via the FERN website in late spring.