Statement of Best Practices for In-Stream Tidal Energy Development & Operation: Standards and Practices for In-Stream Tidal Energy
Biological/Ecological Effects, Engineering, Geophysics/Hydrodynamics, Socio-economics: Nova Scotia Department of Energy & Marine Renewables Canada (2014)
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 MRES contains a number of fundamental enabling activities to support the advancement of tidal energy, including the establishment of a Statement of Best Practices for In-Stream Tidal Energy Development and Operation (hereafter called the Statement). The objective of the proposed Statement is to provide a stand-alone document to identify the necessary elements and overarching principles for an adaptive approach to the growth of tidal energy industry in Nova Scotia. Additionally, the Statement acts as a tool to harmonize development and environmental interests, and as a benchmark, or reference standard. The Statement also builds on the work already completed by the Nova Scotia Department of Energy, such as the development of the Federal/Provincial One Window Committee on In-stream Tidal Energy, to assist in providing a clear path to development.
Keywords: environmental assessment, public engagement