All FERN News

A potential issue with the metal properties of a fastening component in the turbine has been investigated by OpenHydro, one of the partners of Cape Sharp Tidal, and testing has confirmed a risk exists with the long-term durability of the component, according to Cape Sharp spokesperson Sarah Dawson.

“While considered a minor element of the overall system, the components are used to secure part of the turbine generator in position, and could fail prematurely if not replaced,” said Dawson. “Long-term performance and reliability are key priorities, and so the decision has been made to replace the components in the Open-Centre Turbines.”

She emphasized that the issue is not with the design of the turbine, but rather an incorrectly supplied component, which was not locally sourced.

The Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen’s Association (BFIFA) filed a formal application July 25 asking the Nova Scotia Supreme Court to review and quash a decision by the provincial minister of Environment.

In late June Margaret Miller approved the environmental effects monitoring program for the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) and Cape Sharp Tidal Venture, effectively allowing the installation of two tidal turbines in the Minas Passage.

Some fishermen along the Gaspereau River are concerned how tidal turbines could affect a local fishery.

There are 14 active square net licences in the Gaspereau and Melanson area issued by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Those fishermen catch Gaspereau, a species of herring, when they swim up the river from the Bay of Fundy in April and May.

On Monday night at the Gaspereau Community Hall, people in the area had their chance to speak to FORCE (Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy), the organization behind the tidal turbine project.

The Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen’s Association has asked the Nova Scotia supreme court to overturn a decision by the minister of environment approving a monitoring program for tidal energy turbines deployed in the Bay of Fundy’s Minas Passage.

Named in Friday’s application are the Minister of Environment, the Attorney General, Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy Ltd. (FORCE) and Cape Sharp Tidal Venture Ltd.

The group asked the court to set aside or throw out the decision approving the monitoring program on the grounds that a number of environmental safeguards were disregarded or overlooked, including the Species at Risk Act

Tribute Resources Inc. (TSX-V: TRB) (“Tribute”), is pleased to announce the acquisition of an interest in a contracted development stage tidal energy project in Nova Scotia. The Minas Project will be developed and owned by the Minas Tidal Limited Partnership (the “Minas LP”).  The Minas LP acquired Berth A in the Fundy Ocean Resource Center for Energy (FORCE) in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia from Minas Basin Pulp and Power. The Minas LP is owned jointly by Tocardo Canada, a subsidiary of Tocardo International BV and International Marine Energy (“IME”), a corporation owned 50% by Tribute.  The Tocardo technology will be tested at the site in late 2017 with full deployment expected in 2018.  Tocardo has been developing and deploying its tidal turbines in rivers and ocean environments for over a decade.