Journal Library

Biological/Ecological Effects: Copping, A; Hutchison, I.; Hemery, L.; Freeman, M.; Farr, H (2025)

Active acoustic instruments (echosounders) are well-suited for collecting high-resolution information on fish abundance and distribution in the areas targeted for tidal energy

development

Pseudosound caused by turbulent pressure fluctuations in fluid flow past a hydrophone, referred to as flow noise, can mask propagating sounds of interest

Pseudosound caused by turbulent pressure fluctuations in fluid flow past a hydrophone, referred to as flow noise, can mask propagating sounds of interest. Flow shields can mitigate flow noise by reducing non-acoustic pressure fluctuations sensed by a hydrophone.

For marine wave and tidal energy to successfully contribute to global renewable energy goals and climate change mitigation, marine energy projects need to expand beyond small deployments to large-scale arrays.

The placement and operation of marine energy deployments in the ocean have the potential to change flow patterns, decrease wave heights, and/or remove energy from the oceanographic system

The placement and operation of marine energy deployments in the ocean have the potential to change flow patterns, decrease wave heights, and/or remove energy from the oceanographic system.

Global expansion of marine renewable energy (MRE) technologies is needed to help address the impacts of climate change, to ensure a sustainable transition from carbon-based energy sources, and to meet national energy security needs using locally-generated electricity.

This article is part of the Athenaeum Tidal Series.

Understanding the spatiotemporal distributions of migratory marine species at marine renewable energy sites is a crucial step towards assessing the potential impacts of tidal stream turbines and related infrastructure upon these species.

Tidal stream energy is a renewable energy resource that might be developed to offset carbon emissions. A tidal energy demonstration (TED) area has been designated in Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy, for testing and installing marine hydrokinetic (MHK) turbines

Understanding the abundance and distribution of fish in tidal energy streams is important for assessing the risks presented by the introduction of tidal energy devices into the habitat

This document contains a discussion about the issues involved with the data collection process and in particular, the differences in survey methods across platforms (e.g. boat, plane, vantage point). Related platform-based issues about the observation process (and associated imperfect detection) for the data collection, and the associated need to correct observed counts prior to input for analysis are also outlined.

As tidal current and marine hydro-kinetic energy converters start to be deployed in pre commercial arrays, it is critical that the design conditions are properly characterised

As tidal current and marine hydro-kinetic energy converters start to be deployed in pre commercial arrays, it is critical that the design conditions are properly characterised. Turbulence is known to influence fatigue loads and power production, so developers use turbulence models to generate unsteady flows in order to simulate device performance.

The placement and operation of marine energy deployments in the ocean have the potential to change flow patterns, decrease wave heights, and/or remove energy from the oceanographic system.

Understanding the abundance and distribution of fish in tidal energy streams is important for assessing the risks presented by the introduction of tidal energy devices into the habitat

Understanding the abundance and distribution of fish in tidal energy streams is important for assessing the risks presented by the introduction of tidal energy devices into the habitat. However, tidal current flows suitable for tidal energy development are often highly turbulent and entrain air into the water, complicating the interpretation of echosounder data.

The deployment of infrastructure in the ocean is often slowed due to the potential harm of animals in the area. In the Bay of Fundy, the deployment of tidal farms have been explored for several years, however there is a large population of harbour porpoises.

Understanding the environmental effects of marine energy (ME) devices is fundamental for their sustainable development and efficient regulation

Multibeam imaging sonars can be used to monitor fish and marine mammal presence and behaviours in the near-field of tidal turbine installations, including evaluating avoidance, evasion, and potential blade strikes

The deployment of infrastructure in the ocean is often slowed due to the potential harm of animals in the area. In the Bay of Fundy, the deployment of tidal farms have been explored for several years, however there is a large population of harbour porpoises.

Biological/Ecological Effects: Gibson, J. F., and R. A. Myers (2002)

Understanding the environmental effects of marine energy (ME) devices is fundamental for their sustainable development and efficient regulation. However, measuring effects is difficult given the limited number of operational devices currently deployed.

Active acoustic instruments (echosounders) are well-suited for collecting high-resolution information on fish abundance and distribution in the areas targeted for tidal energy development, which is necessary for understanding the potential risks tidal energy devices pose to fish

We determined patterns of seasonal abundance and diversity of seabirds and coastal waterfowl in Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, Canada using quantitative, shore-based point surveys from mid-March to late August and mid-October to December 2010 to 2012.

We determined patterns of seasonal abundance and diversity of seabirds and coastal waterfowl in Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, Canada using quantitative, shore-based point surveys from mid-March to late August and mid-October to December 2010 to 2012

Multibeam imaging sonars can be used to monitor fish and marine mammal presence and behaviours in the near-field of tidal turbine installations, including evaluating avoidance, evasion, and potential blade strikes. Previous work in the Pathway Program recommended use of the Tritech Gemini 720is, which demonstrated a high level of utility for visually detecting and tracking targets from vessel and bottom-mounted orientations in tidal flows up to approximately 2.5 m/s in Grand Passage, Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia.

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Miscellaneous: Miller, V.B., A.E. Landis, and L.A. Schaefer (2011)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Snohomish County Public Utility District No. 1, (2009)

Link: http://www.snopud.com/PowerSupply/tidal/aidla.ashx?p=1732

Keywords: Admiralty Inlet

A modelling framework identifies deployment locations for current-energy-capture devices that maximise power output while minimising potential environmental impacts. The framework, based on the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code, can incorporate site-specific environmental constraints.

A modelling framework identifies deployment locations for current-energy-capture devices that maximise power output while minimising potential environmental impacts.

This study characterizes the turbulence in a 3.6 m s−1 tidal channel in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia that has been identified for development as a tidal power resource. A horizontally aimed fast-sampling single beam acoustic Doppler profiler was deployed on a subsurface buoy, and the flow-aligned profile is used to test the cross-spectral (Garbini 1982a,b) and the spatial structure function methods for estimating dissipation rates of turbulent kinetic energy.

Tidal currents help shape coastal marine environments and are essential in life cycles of many fish species. Areas with strong tidal currents are also targeted by humans for energy extraction via tidal energy turbines.

Biological/Ecological Effects, PhD Thesis: Haley Viehman (2016/12)

Strong tidal currents in eastern Maine, USA, make that region attractive for tidal power development.

Research and development of alternative energy resources such as wave energy has always attracted significant attention due to their abundant and sustainable nature. The uncertainties associated with the marine environment and the significant costs required for implementation of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) require a sound decision making methodology.

Research and development of alternative energy resources such as wave energy has always attracted significant attention due to their abundant and sustainable nature. The uncertainties associated with the marine environment and the significant costs required for implementation of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) require a sound decision making methodology.

The marine environment in the Bay of Fundy hosts a dynamic and diverse soundscape that is a fundamental component of the local ecosystem. The emergence of new human marine activities and infrastructure, such as tidal turbine installations, introduces new sound sources that change or disrupt the existing acoustic environment, but the full extent of these changes is not well understood and is not predictable.

The marine environment in the Bay of Fundy hosts a dynamic and diverse soundscape that is a fundamental component of the local ecosystem.

Within the global tidal energy industry, companies are now undertaking activities related to technology demonstration and demonstration of arrays. In Nova Scotia, at FORCE, demonstration arrays are planned by berth-holders.

Strong tidal currents in eastern Maine, USA, make that region attractive for tidal power development. Little is known about the effects of marine hydrokinetic (MHK) devices on fish, yet many fish species use tidal currents for movements. We used empirical data from stationary and mobile hydroacoustic surveys to examine the probability that fish would be at the depth of an MHK device and may therefore encounter it.

This letter outlines Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Fisheries Protection Program comments on the proposed Environmental Effects Monitoring Programs (EEMP) for the latest version of the 2016-2020 for the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) and CSTV received May 20, 2016.

It has become increasingly difficult in Canada to gain and sustain public acceptance of energy projects. Increased levels of protest, combined with traditional media and social media coverage of opposition, combine to suggest decreased public acceptance of energy projects.

It has become increasingly difficult in Canada to gain and sustain public acceptance of energy projects. Increased levels of protest, combined with traditional media and social media coverage of opposition, combine to suggest decreased public acceptance of energy projects.

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Argo Environmental Ltd. (2006)

In recent years, countries around the world have been making significant strides toward building or renewing their energy infrastructures based on clear renewable portfolio standards (“RPS”), in which they set targets for renewable energy production within a given timeframe (1). Early in the spring of 2015, for example, Costa Rica made news for having powered its entire country off of renewable energy alone for three full months (2).

This report explores the growth prospects for the ocean economy, its capacity for future employment creation and innovation, and its role in addressing global challenges. Special attention is devoted to the emerging ocean-based industries in light of their high growth and innovation potential, and contribution to addressing challenges such as energy security, environment, climate change and food security.

I’m a professor in the Community Development and the Environmental and Sustainability Studies programs. Exploring community assets, capacities and how these collectively support a sustainable society has been the focus of much of my research. Community and stakeholder engagement, and to a lesser extent, socio-economic costs and benefits of tidal energy development have framed my recent research activities.

This report explores the growth prospects for the ocean economy, its capacity for future employment creation and innovation, and its role in addressing global challenges. Special attention is devoted to the emerging ocean-based industries in light of their high growth and innovation potential, and contribution to addressing challenges such as energy security, environment, climate change and food security.

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Argo Environmental Ltd. (2006)

This report explores the growth prospects for the ocean economy, its capacity for future employment creation and innovation, and its role in addressing global challenges.

This report explores the growth prospects for the ocean economy, its capacity for future employment creation and innovation, and its role in addressing global challenges. Special attention is devoted to the emerging ocean-based industries in light of their high growth and innovation potential, and contribution to addressing challenges such as energy security, environment, climate change and food security.

I first came to Acadia as a Biology professor in 1973. When I arrived, my initial research interests were in the ecology of freshwater lakes and rivers, but a resurgence of interest in Fundy tidal power in 1976 created a great need to organise research to answer the inevitable questions about the effects of tidal power on the Bay of Fundy. This has remained my major research focus ever since.

In recent years, countries around the world have been making significant strides toward building or renewing their energy infrastructures based on clear renewable portfolio standards (“RPS”), in which they set targets for renewable energy production within a given timeframe.

The ability to estimate the rate of dissipation (ε) of turbulent kinetic energy at mid-depth in a high speed tidal channel using broadband acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) is assessed by making comparisons to direct measurements of ε obtained using shear probes mounted on an underwater, streamlined buoy.

Tidal power potential is determined across the Western Passage in Passamaquoddy Bay using the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM).

The Bay of Fundy in eastern Canada has the world's largest tidal range of over 16 m with tidal currents up to 5 ms− 1 making it an ideal place for tidal power extraction using tidal in-stream energy conversion devices in the Minas Passage.

Tidal power potential is determined across the Western Passage in Passamaquoddy Bay using the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM).

Despite robust research, prototype development and demonstration of in-stream tidal energy devices, progress to the commercialization stage has been slow.

Minas Basin in the Bay of Fundy has the world’s largest tidal range and exchanges approximately 110 billion tonnes of water twice a day with tidal currents up to 5 ms-1 through Minas Passage, making it an ideal site for tidal power extraction. In this thesis a multi-domain high-resolution hydrodynamic model of Minas Basin is implemented and used to investigate: a) the relative influence of vegetation on flow routing in a macrotidal estuary to develop an understanding of the intertidal hydrodynamics in the natural system; and b) the implications of tidal energy extraction on basin-scale suspended sediment concentrations by simulating in-stream turbines.

Minas Basin in the Bay of Fundy has the world’s largest tidal range and exchanges approximately 110 billion tonnes of water twice a day with tidal currents up to 5 ms-1 through Minas Passage, making it an ideal site for tidal power extraction.

I am a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics who uses mathematical models and numerical simulations to do research in physical oceanography and fluid dynamics. For the past eight years, I’ve led a team of Acadia students and research assistants that have researched the potential of tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy. Working in collaboration with other universities, several Nova Scotia businesses, and the Nova Scotian and Canadian governments, our team has calculated the size of the resource and determined the best possible locations for turbines. And along the way, we’ve also learned an incredible amount about the tides of the Bay of Fundy.

I am a Nova Scotian – a proud graduate of Acadia University (BScHon, MSc) and a professor in Acadia’s Biology Department since 2005.

Despite robust research, prototype development and demonstration of in-stream tidal energy devices, progress to the commercialization stage has been slow. Some of this can be attributed to a lack readiness or financing.

Dr. Paul Stephenson is a professor in the department of Mathematics and Statistics at Acadia University and the president of the Striped Bass Association.

The expansion of the marine renewable energy (MRE) sector will increase pressure on sea space and existing maritime users which could potentially lead to conflict. Commercial fishing has been identified by many as the industry most likely to be affected by the development of MRE.

Tidal turbine developers and researchers use small scale testing (i.e. tow tank and flume testing) as a cost effective and low risk way to conduct proof-of-concept studies and evaluate early stage device performance. This paper presents experimental performance data for a three-bladed 1/20th scale NREL S814 tidal turbine rotor, produced at the 4.6 × 2.5 m and 76 m long Kelvin Hydrodynamics Laboratory tow tank at Strathclyde University.

Information about seabed stability and sediment dynamics is part of the fundamental geoscience knowledge required for the extraction of tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy, and for the integrated management of the Bay.

Large-scale extraction of power from tidal streams within the Pentland Firth is expected to be underway in the near future. The Inner Sound of Stroma in particular has attracted significant commercial interest.

Large sediment-laden ice cakes form in the Minas Basin and concern has been raised that they might pose a substantial danger to in-stream tidal turbines deployed in strong tides of Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy.

The adoption of UN Convention of the Law of the Sea in 1982 created optimism for indigenous peoples and marginalised coastal communities that they may (re)gain control of, or improve access to, marine resources.

The Choice Experiment (CE) technique is applied for the first time to one of the most promising marine renewables, tidal stream energy, with two objectives: (i) to investigate the public perceptions of this renewable, and (ii) to estimate the externalities, i.e., the monetary value of the impacts of a tidal stream farm.

Previous studies have evaluated fish injury and mortality at hydrokinetic (HK) turbines, but because these studies focused on the impacts of these turbines in situ they were unable to evaluate fish responses to controlled environmental characteristics (e.g., current velocity and light or dark conditions).

Developments to test TISEC devices and harness tidal energy from high flow sites in the Minas Passage require examination of the potential effects of tidal turbines on the environment, including impacts on marine mammals.

This paper defines a methodology to compare different offshore renewable energy (ORE) mooring configurations in terms of the risk of entanglement they present to marine megafauna.

In the winter, the tidal flats in the Bay of Fundy are littered with large muddy icebergs that are dense enough to sink. This sediment-laden ice to poses a risk to tidal power infrastructure. I attempted to identify echoes from the interior of the ice using a broadband echosounder system

The drive towards sustainable energy has seen rapid development of marine renewable energy devices (MREDs). The NERC/Defra collaboration FLOw, Water column and Benthic Ecology 4-D (FLOWBEC-4D) is investigating the environmental and ecological effects of installing and operating wave and tidal energy devices.

Environmental impacts, including tidal regimes and sediment transport in the Minas Basin, caused by tidal power extraction in the Minas Passage have been investigated using a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model in which tidal power extraction is represented using an arbitrary method that adds a friction term to the standard momentum equations.

Tidal current energy is one of the most predictable ocean renewable energies. Survivability of the device used to harness tidal power and its remedial actions are critical to ensure a successful power generation.

River hydrokinetic turbines may be an economical alternative to traditional energy sources for small communities on Alaskan rivers. However, there is concern that sound from these turbines could affect sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), an important resource for small, subsistence based communities, commercial fisherman, and recreational anglers.

Fine-scale information on the occurrence of coastal cetaceans is required to support regulation of offshore energy developments and marine spatial planning. In particular, the EU Habitats Directive requires an understanding of the extent to which animals from Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) use adjacent waters, where survey effort is often sparse.

River hydrokinetic turbines may be an economical alternative to traditional energy sources for small communities on Alaskan rivers. However, there is concern that sound from these turbines could affect sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), an important resource for small, subsistence based communities, commercial fisherman, and recreational anglers.

Finite element models (FEMs) are used in the design of composite bend–twist (BT) coupled structures such as tidal turbine blades and marine propellers. However, such design tools must be verified experimentally.

A one‐day workshop was held in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, bringing together regulators, marine energy researchers, and industry representatives, to determine what data are needed and what data can realistically be collected, to assist with siting and permitting (consenting), as well as with effects monitoring, of marine energy devices.

In the hypertidal Bay of Fundy, environmental impacts in response to commercial-scale tidal power development remain to be fully understood. The extraction of tidal energy may impact sediment dynamics in far-field environments, such as the intertidal zone, through potential alterations to tidal amplitude in the Minas Basin.

The potential rapid development of tidal energy and accompanying structures in the coastal waters in several regions of Canada, and the world, will require subsurface sampling tools to monitor and evaluate the biological and environmental effects of this new industry.

The introduction of tidal stream turbines into water bodies can have an impact on the environment due to changes in the hydrodynamic flow fields resulting from the extraction of energy by the tidal turbines.

Understanding and providing proactive information on the potential for tidal energy projects to cause changes to the physical system and to key water quality constituents in tidal waters is a necessary and cost-effective means to avoid costly regulatory involvement and late stage surprises in the permitting process.

Tidal Energy Converter (TEC) arrays are expected to reduce tidal current speeds locally, thus impacting sediment processes, even when positioned above bedrock, as well as having potential impacts to nearby offshore sand banks.

This paper assesses the applicability of the Frame of Reference (FoR) approach for the environmental monitoring of large-scale offshore Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) projects.

Power generated from marine energy devices, including those that harvest power from the waves and tides, has the potential to help meet the low-carbon energy needs of many coastal nations.

This paper explores the role of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in advancing the 'Blue Economy'.

In 2012, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Province’s Marine Renewable Energy Strategy (MRES)to outline the pathway for the development of tidal energy.

This Report describes and summarizes the outcomes of a stakeholder and community engagement program implemented as the second stage of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) on Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) for the Cape Breton Coastal Region and the Bras d’Or Lakes.

The objectives of the funded project were to examine tidal power development in Maine from all perspectives: engineering, resource assessment, biological effects, and social dimensions.

In 2012, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Province’s Marine Renewable Energy Strategy (MRES)to outline the pathway for the development of tidal energy. Implementing the strategy will create the conditions necessary to support the advancement of both large utility-scale and community-scale tidal projects, and also to broaden strategic research and testing initiatives. Taken together, these actions will help to achieve a 300 megawatt (MW) target of commercial development beyond 2020.

The objectives of the funded project were to examine tidal power development in Maine from all perspectives: engineering, resource assessment, biological effects, and social dimensions. Resource and environmental research focused on data collection for the Cobscook Bay/Western Passage, possibly the most viable commercial tidal energy site in the US, tidal power sites along with initial evaluation of the suitability of the approach for at least two other tidal development sites in Maine.

Large eddy simulations of a model scale tidal turbine encountering inflow turbulence have been performed. This has allowed both unsteady blade loading and hydrodynamic noise radiation to be predicted. The study is motivated by the need to assess environmental impact of tidal devices, in terms of their acoustic impact on marine species.

The use of tidal currents by fishes for movements to and from onshore spawning, foraging, and nursery grounds is well documented. However, fishes’ use of the water column in tidal currents frequently exceeding 1.5 m · s-1 is largely unknown.

Biological/Ecological Effects: Waggitt, J.and B. Scott (2014)

The impact of impulsive pile driving on marine mammals is a major environmental concern in offshore wind farm construction.

In 2007 the Nova Scotia Department of Energy commissioned the Offshore Energy Research Association of Nova Scotia (OERA) to complete a Phase I Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to guide the development of tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy.

This paper explores the role of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in advancing the 'Blue Economy'.

In 2012, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Province’s Marine Renewable Energy Strategy (MRES)to outline the pathway for the development of tidal energy. Implementing the strategy will create the conditions necessary to support the advancement of both large utility-scale and community-scale tidal projects, and also to broaden strategic research and testing initiatives. Taken together, these actions will help to achieve a 300 megawatt (MW) target of commercial development beyond 2020.

The occurrence, frequency, and intensity of blade-strike of fish on an axial-flow marine hydrokinetic turbine was simulated using two modeling approaches: a novel scheme combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with Lagrangian particle tracking, and a conventional kinematic model.

The addition of man-made structures to the marine environment is known to increase the physical complexity of the seafloor, which can influence benthic species community patterns and habitat structure.

Biological/Ecological Effects: Adams, T., R. Miller, D. Aleynik, and M. Burrows (2014)

On land, species from all trophic levels have adapted to fill vacant niches in environments heavily modified by humans (e.g. [1] ). In the marine environment, ocean infrastructure has led to artificial reefs, resulting in localized increases in fish and crustacean density [2] .

The objectives of the funded project were to examine tidal power development in Maine from all perspectives: engineering, resource assessment, biological effects, and social dimensions.

At present, few studies exist that consider the relationship between species interactions and key environmental variables, with the added influence of offshore marine renewable energy technologies. Video footage and ADCP survey techniques were used, to examine the presence of fish and velocity flow rates within the vicinity of a deployed tidal energy device.

Fish are a key part of the marine ecosystem likely to be affected by hydrokinetic tidal turbines, but little is known about their behavior around such obstacles in the natural environment.

The pressure to develop new and renewable forms of energy to combat climate change, ocean acidification, and energy security has encouraged exploration of sources of power generation from the ocean. One of the major challenges to deploying these devices is discerning the likely effects those devices and associated systems will have on the marine environment.

Marine hydrokinetic (MHK) operating licenses require biological monitoring to quantify effects of devices on aquatic organisms, but regulations for instrumentation, measurements, and sampling effort have not been standardized.

Miscellaneous: Government of Nova Scotia (2014)

This Report describes and summarizes the outcomes of a stakeholder and community engagement program implemented as the second stage of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) on Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) for the Cape Breton Coastal Region and the Bras d’Or Lakes.

As the wave and tidal industry plans for initial commercial deployments, significant uncertainties remain about the risks to marine animals and habitats from wave and tidal devices; this uncertainty continues to slow and complicate siting and permitting (consenting) processes.

Biological/Ecological Effects: Carlson, T.J., M. Grear, A. Copping, M. Halvorsen, R. Jepsen, and K. Metzinger (2014)

Two river instream hydrokinetic (RISEC) devices were installed in the Kvichak River, Alaska in 2014 to demonstrate the ability to generate hydroelectric power.

This paper assesses the applicability of the Frame of Reference (FoR) approach for the environmental monitoring of large-scale offshore Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) projects.

Power generated from marine energy devices, including those that harvest power from the waves and tides, has the potential to help meet the low-carbon energy needs of many coastal nations.

The Project collected baseline data to characterize pre-deployment patterns of marine mammal distribution, relative abundance, and behavior in ORPC’s proposed deployment area at East Foreland.

The spectral properties of pulses transmitted by three commercially available 200 kHz echo sounders were measured to assess the possibility that marine mammals might hear sound energy below the center (carrier) frequency that may be generated by transmitting short rectangular pulses.

Biological/Ecological Effects: A. Copping, D. Hasselman, C. Bangley, J. Culina, and M. Carcas (2023/11/11)

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/11/2151

Commercial development of tidal stream energy is hampered by technical and financial challenges, and impeded by uncertainty about potential environmental effects that drive environmental risk assessments and permitting (consenting) processes. The effect of greatest concern for operational tidal stream energy devices is the potential for marine animals to collide with turbine blades, resulting in injury or death. Due to the turbulent and often turbid waters that frequently characterize tidal turbine sites, there is an absence of empirical evidence about collisions with marine animals. This paucity of observations often leads to risk-averse permitting decisions that further restrict the deployment of tidal energy devices that are needed to collect this evidence. This paper relies on the framework of stressors and receptors that is widely used in marine energy studies and outlines a stepwise probabilistic methodology that applies existing knowledge to further elucidate the risk to marine animals from operational tidal turbines. A case study using striped bass from the Bay of Fundy, Canada, accompanies the methodology, to partially demonstrate its application.

Keywords: risk assessment, tidal stream energy, environmental effects, collision risk, marine renewable energy

The Tanana River hydrokinetic characterization study started in 2009, when little was known about how river environments in Alaska would affect hydrokinetic power generating devices or how those devices might affect the state’s river environments.

Several approaches can be used for estimating tidal power potential. From a theoretical point of view, others have shown that the problem can be reduced to a single or multiple boundary problem with simple geometry where each case has a well defined maximum power potential.

This project set out to develop a link between Oceanographic computer models and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models in order to improve state of the art modeling techniques used for resource assessments and tidal turbine siting for both single and multiple TISECs.

Theories of in-stream turbines are adapted to analyse the potential electricity generation and impact of turbine arrays deployed in Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy. Linear momentum actuator disc theory (LMADT) is combined with a theory that calculates the flux through the passage to determine both the turbine power and the impact of rows of turbine fences.

Successfully implementing tidal-based marine renewable energy projects in Nova Scotia will largely depend on the level of community engagement. However, in most instances community and stakeholder engagement is poorly planned and underfunded. The Tidal Energy Community Engagement Handbook was developed to support community and stakeholder engagement for the Community Feed-in Tariff program and to specifically support those projects related to tidal energy development.

Socio-economics: SLR Consulting Ltd. (2013)

The Community and Business Toolkit for Tidal Energy Development contains a series of modules that describe opportunities and strategies for communities and businesses to become involved in tidal energy development.

Engineering: Aly, H.H.H. and M.E. El-Hawary (2013)

The Community and Business Toolkit for Tidal Energy Development contains a series of modules that describe opportunities and strategies for communities and businesses to become involved in tidal energy development.

This paper describes a series of experiments designed to measure the effect of exposure to a full-scale, vertical axis hydrokinetic turbine on downstream migrating juvenile Atlantic salmon (N = 175) and upstream migrating adult American shad (N = 208).

Biological/Ecological Effects: James, V. (2013)

Two experts’ workshops were held in Dublin, Ireland (September 2010 and October 2012) to engage with international researchers, developers, and regulators on the scope and outcomes of the Annex IV project.

The Community and Business Toolkit for Tidal Energy Development contains a series of modules that describe opportunities and strategies for communities and businesses to become involved in tidal energy development.

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: ORPC Maine, LLC (2013)

This report presents an update on the extractable power potential of tidal currents in a number of passages around Nova Scotia. Since initial reports by EPRI [1] and the Triton [2] were produced, we have gained a better understanding of how the extraction of power from tidal currents affect the tidal system.

In the energetic tracts of coastal ocean suitable for tidal turbine deployment, the fast-flowing waters carve out a range of bedforms. In the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy, Canada, in which there are gigawatts of harnessable energy, the bathymetry obeys an approximate power-law relationship, such that, generally, the larger the bedform the more prominent it is.

Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Sanderson, B.G., A.M. Redden and J.E. Broome (2012)

The following document was prepared for the Offshore Energy Research Association of Nova Scotia (OERANS). It summarizes the flow measurements that were made using acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) at three locations in Cape Breton: two in the Great Bras d’Or Channel (Carey Point and Seal Island Bridge), and one in the Barra Strait (near Iona).

The Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine system has a natural resonant period very close to the main semi-diurnal lunar tide. This results in the world’s highest tides and strong tidal currents in the Bay of Fundy, particularly in Minas Channel and Minas Basin.

The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) Tidal Energy Project, located near Black Rock in the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, is a research and development demonstration site dedicated to testing tidal power technologies, in particular Tidal In-stream Energy Conversion (TISEC) devices.

The Nova Scotia government has approved tidal power Community-Feed-in-Tariffs for Digby Gut and Petit Passage, two passages along the coast of the Bay of Fundy.

In-stream tidal energy initiatives are rapidly developing in Nova Scotia, but there remains a high degree of uncertainty regarding the nature and extent (in space and time) of environmental implications of energy harvesting activities.

The Fundy Energy Research Network (FERN) Socio-Economic Scoping Study provides a state-of-knowledge comprehensive review of the socio-economic issues associated with tidal in-stream energy conversion (TISEC). Highlighted in this report are international, national and provincial level research, regulatory frameworks and projects.

This thesis presents a cost-benefit analysis of tidal power generation with specific reference to the installation of a 300MW tidal farm in the Minas Passage, in Nova Scotia, in 2020, as a case study. Nova Scotia has set aggressive targets to increase the share of renewables in the province’s electricity generation mix and tidal energy is considered to be the ―sleeping giant‖ amongst renewable energy sources

This document is intended to provoke a broader engagement in discussions about the potential for jobs and careers, and the business and economic role that can result as marine renewable energy resources are developed in Atlantic Canada for the benefit of generations to come.

Rural maritime communities are often located at the end of the line; adjacent to abundant marine resources but unable to transmit power due to ageing electrical infrastructure designed to transmit power from large thermal power plants. This paper draws experience from communities located adjacent to Grand Passage and Petit Passage, Nova Scotia and could be applied to similar maritime communities such as the Isle of Islay in Scotland.

Rural maritime communities are often located at the end of the line; adjacent to abundant marine resources but unable to transmit power due to ageing electrical infrastructure designed to transmit power from large thermal power plants. This paper draws experience from communities located adjacent to Grand Passage and Petit Passage, Nova Scotia and could be applied to similar maritime communities such as the Isle of Islay in Scotland.

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Copping, A.E., R.S. Butner, L.A. Hanna, and J.M. Whiting (2012)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Socio-economics: Membertou Geomatics Solutions (2012)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Socio-economics: Marine Management Organisation (2012)

The scientific literature points out that the potential impacts of this type of activity will be different depending on the various phases of construction, operation and dismantling.

Paper for poster presented at the 4th International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE), 17-19 Oct. 2012, Dublin, Ireland.

Miscellaneous: Keefe, D.J. (2012)

Biological/Ecological Effects: McCluskie, A.E., R.H.W. Langston & N.I. Wilkinson (2012)

The rapid development of in-stream tidal energy conversion (TISEC) presents a mix of challenges for environmental scientists and regulators.

The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) Tidal Energy Project, located near Black Rock in the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, is a research and development demonstration site dedicated to testing tidal power technologies, in particular Tidal In-stream Energy Conversion (TISEC) devices.

In-stream tidal energy initiatives are rapidly developing in Nova Scotia, but there remains a high degree of uncertainty regarding the nature and extent (in space and time) of environmental implications of energy harvesting activities.

Evaluation of Fish Injury and Mortality Associated with Hydrokinetic Turbines (Steve Amaral, Ted Castro-Santos, and Paul Jacobson, Electric Power Research Institute)

The Minas Basin, the eastern end of the Bay of Fundy, is well known for its high tide ranges and strong tidal currents, which can be exploited to extract electricity power. The properties of the tidally-induced sediment transport in the Minas Basin, where significant changes in tidal processes may occur due to a recently proposed tidal power project, have been studied with a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model, an empirical bed load sediment transport model and surface sediment concentrations derived from the remotely-sensed images.

The objective of this project is to quantify the near-field effects of large scale tidal power extraction from the Bay of Fundy by the use of tidal energy extraction devices on the resulting effects of extreme storm events and coastline integrity by implementing a spectral wave model to numerically simulate wave transformation for operational (with turbines) and nonoperational (without turbines) tidal conditions.

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: van Rein, H, D.S. Schoeman, C.J. Brown, R. Quinn and J. Breen (2011)

This research project was undertaken to accurately estimate the power potential of the tides and tidal currents in the Minas Basin and Minas Channel regions of the Bay of Fundy.

Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Kadiri, M., R. Ahmadian, B. Bockelmann-Evans, W. Rauen and R. Falconer. (2011)

Miscellaneous, Socio-economics: renewableUK (2011)

Miscellaneous, Socio-economics: Portman, Michelle and Fishhendler, Itay (2011)

Socio-economics: renewableUK and SeaPower (2011)

Socio-economics: Jeffrey, Henry and Sedgwick, Jonathan (2011)

Coastal states and nations are conducting marine spatial planning (MSP) at an ever-increasing pace. Some MSP efforts are aimed at planning areas at a subnational level, whereas others extend as far as 200 nautical miles from shore, within national exclusive economic zones.

The Bay of Fundy is rich source of tidal energy. Nova Scotia is turning its attention to this resource to reduce its reliance on coal and for economic development. Socioeconomic research is needed to help develop this nascent industry. The potential goes beyond green energy: with the involvement of universities, development of world-class expertise can be achieved.

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Royal Haskonings (2011)

This report presents work related to the first stage: development of PoE models, that are conceptual representations of predicted relationships between human activities and their associated sub-activities - the pressures - and the environmental effects or impacts that they may have on specific ecological endpoints.

Biological/Ecological Effects: Alden Research Laboratory, Inc. (2011)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Schweizer, P.E., G. F. Cada, and M. S. Bevelhimer (2011)

Draft Final Report Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy and Snohomish Public Utility District #1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sequim, WA

Anthropogenic electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been introduced into the marine environment around the world and from a wide variety of sources for well over a century. Despite this, little is known about potential ecological impacts from EMFs. For decades, power transmission cables have been installed across bays and river mouths, and connecting near-shore islands to the mainland, with little consideration of possible effects to marine species from EMFs.

Biological/Ecological Effects: Woodruff, D., J. Ward, I. Schultz and V. Cullinan (2011)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: van Rein, H, D.S. Schoeman, C.J. Brown, R. Quinn and J. Breen (2011)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Tollit, D.J., J.D. Wood, J. Broome, and A.M. Redden. (2011)

Miscellaneous, Socio-economics: renewableUK (2011)

A National Strategy to Support U.S. Energy Security and Create Jobs through the commercialization of Marine Renewable Energy Technologies.

Miscellaneous, Socio-economics: Portman, Michelle and Fishhendler, Itay (2011)

Miscellaneous: ICES (2011)

Coastal states and nations are conducting marine spatial planning (MSP) at an ever-increasing pace. Some MSP efforts are aimed at planning areas at a subnational level, whereas others extend as far as 200 nautical miles from shore, within national exclusive economic zones.

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Brown, C.J., S.J. Smith, P. Lawton, J.T. Anderson (2011)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Cada, G.F. and M. S. Bevelhimer (2011)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: van Rein, H., C.J. Brown, R. Quinn , J. Breen, and D. Schoeman (2011)

Download: 28.pdf

Keywords: sonar, benthic habitat, mapping, monitoring techniques

Canada’s marine renewable energy sector has the potential to become highly competitive in the global marketplace - serving domestic and global power needs. The Roadmap defines the approach that will see projects around the world use Canadian technologies and expertise.

With the increasing utilization of marine space and resources, ecosystem-based approaches to environmental assessments are requested.

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Kramer S., M. Previsic, P. Nelson, and S. Woo (2010)

Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Yang, Z., T. Khangaonkar, and T. Wang (2010)

Socio-economics: Welsh Assembly Government (2010)

This article describes the policy framework for siting, permitting, and developing offshore renewable energy facilities in the United States. It also highlights features of regulatory programs in other countries and makes some comparisons. Initially, the article presents a brief historical background of US regulatory development, and then it provides a synopsis of the more salient features of the federal siting and permitting program, followed by descriptions of policy frameworks in three other countries—the United Kingdom, Germany, and Portugal.

There is a growing demand for the use of renewable energy technologies to generate electricity due to concerns over climate change. The oceans provide a huge potential resource of energy.

Socio-economics: Ernst & Young LLP. (2010)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Engineering: Polagye, B., and J. Thomson (2010)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Royal Haskoning Ltd., (2010)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Guernsey Renewable Energy Commission (2010)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Kramer S., M. Previsic, P. Nelson, and S. Woo (2010)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Simas, T., A. Moura, R. Batty, D. Thompson, B. Wilson, M. Lonergan and J. Norris (2010)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Boehlert, G. W., and A. B. Gill (2010)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Langhamer, O. (2010)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Mueller-Blenkle, C., P.K. McGregor, A.B. Gill, M.H. Andersson, J. Metcalfe, V. Bendall, P. Sigray, D.T. Wood, and F. Thomsen (2010)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Schultz, I.R., W.J. Pratt, D.L. Woodruff, G. Roesijadi, and K.E. Marshall (2010)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Isaacman, L., and K. Lee (2010)

There is a growing demand for the use of renewable energy technologies to generate electricity due to concerns over climate change.

Miscellaneous: Raventós, A., T. Simas, A. Moura, G. Harrison, C. Thomson and J.-F. Dhedin. (2010)

Commissioned by RPS Group plc on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government

Biological/Ecological Effects, Engineering: Bassett, C., J. Thomson, and B. Polagye. (2010)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Zydlewski, G., J. McCleave, H. Viehman, and K. Harmon (2010)

unpublished Report prepared for Ocean Renewable Power Company

Please contact FERN directly to acquire a copy of this document.

Keywords: fish, Cobscook Bay

Miscellaneous: Raventós, A., T. Simas, A. Moura, G. Harrison, and T. Stallard. (2010)

Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Meredyk, S. (2009)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Royal Haskoning Ltd., (2009)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Socio-economics: Membertou Geomatics Consultants (2009)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Simas, T., A. Moura, R. Batty, D. Thompson, and J. Norris (2009)

he FORCE project was assessed under a joint federal – provincial Environmental Assessment (EA) review process, which considered multiple subsea turbine generators, subsea cables connecting the turbines to land-based infrastructure, an onshore transformer substation, and power lines connecting to the local power distribution system.

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Snohomish County Public Utility District No. 1, (2009)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Gill, A. B., Y. Huang, I. Gloyne-Philips, J. Metcalfe, V. Quayle, J. Spencer, and V. Wearmouth (2009)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Langhamer, O., and D. Wilhelmsson (2009)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, (2009)

Biological/Ecological Effects: NORMANDEAU ASSOCIATES INC. (2009)

PREPARED FOR HYDRO GREEN ENERGY, LLC

Link: http://www.hgenergy.com/Hastings%20Agencies%20Review%20Draft%2012-21-09.pdf

Keywords: fish, blade strike

Biological/Ecological Effects: Van Rein,H.B., C.J. Brown and R. Quinn (2009)

International Journal of the Society for Underwater Technology 28(3): 1-15

Please contact FERN directly to acquire a copy of this document.

Keywords: benthic habitat, monitoring techniques

Miscellaneous: Rule, B.M., Z. J. Worth, and C.A. Boyle. (2009)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Foubister, L., and S. Hull (2008)

Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Verdant Power Inc., (2008)

Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Karsten, R.H., J.M. McMillan, M.J. Lickley, and R.D. Haynes. (2008)

In British Columbia and throughout Canada there is growing interest in the development of renewable ocean energy projects (ROE) that rely on tidal, wave, and wind energy.

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: OEER Association (2008)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Wilhelmsson, D. and T. Malm (2008)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Foubister, L., and S. Hull (2008)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Envirosphere Consultants Limited, (2008)

Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Parker, M., M. Westhead, and A. Service. (2007)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Wilson, B., R.S. Batty, F. Daunt, and C. Carter. Scotland. PA25 1QA. 110 p. (2007)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Engineering: Gordon, J., D. Thompson, D. Gillespie, M. Lonergan, S. Calderan, B. Jaffey, and V. Todd. (2007)

Socio-economics: Doelle, M., D. Russell, P. Saunders, D. VanderZwaag, and D. Wright (2006)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Archipelago Marine Research Inc (2006)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics: Royal Haskoning Ltd., (2005)

Biological/Ecological Effects: Verdant Power Inc., (2005)

Biological/Ecological Effects, Engineering: Fisher, P. R., and N. J. C. Tregenza (2003)

Link: http://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/seamammal/Porpoise%20monitoring%20report%20fisher%20_%20tregenza%202003.pdf

Keywords: marine mammals, monitoring techniques

Biological/Ecological Effects: McKinley, R. S., and H. Kowalyk (1989)

Miscellaneous: Cain, B.N. (1950)

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