All FERN News

New Site Data Collected for Fundy Tidal Project

After a 27-day sea trial, a team comprised of staff at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) working in concert with crew on the Dominion Victory have successfully recovered an underwater monitoring platform, known as FAST-1.

“To explore the energy potential in the Bay of Fundy responsibly, we have to understand it,” said FORCE general manager Tony Wright. “We’re building a series of subsea instrument platforms that will give us a clearer picture of what’s happening at the FORCE test site.”

The platform was retrieved in mid-July, and analysis of sensor data is now underway. Reliable site data is critical to all aspects of in-stream tidal energy development, including both turbine design and understanding any effects on the marine ecosystem.

Tidal turbine set for trip to Saint John

Cape Sharp Tidal Ventures was preparing Friday to move their first 1,000-tonne turbine from Halifax to Saint John.

Earlier this month, one of the fastening components that was imported was identified by the platform’s developer OpenHydro as having a flaw and in need of replacement.

It’s not considered a major part of the platform, but the components are used to secure part of the turbine generator in position, and could fail prematurely if not replaced, said a statement on the company’s website.

The Scotia Tide barge and turbine is expected to take 6 days, said a statement on the company’s website.

Atlantic provinces to pull together on climate change

Following all-day meetings in Halifax on Tuesday, the Atlantic provinces have agreed to work together in the ongoing battle against climate change.

Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, and the four Atlantic ministers issued a joint statement Tuesday evening committing to “ accelerate the transition to a clean electricity future in Atlantic Canada and to enhance the region’s capacity to plan for and manage climate risks.”

Tidal turbine deployment delayed

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.

Fundy fishermen take province to court seeking review of tidal decision

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.