Journal Library

Engineering

The Ocean Economy in 2030

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.

Read more …

Variability in suspended sediment concentration in the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy, and implications for changes due to tidal power extraction

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.

Read more …

Determining tidal turbine farm efficiency in the Western Passage using the disc actuator theory

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

Read more …

Intertidal hydrodynamics and basin-scale sediment dynamics in the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy, and implications for change due to tidal power extraction

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.

Read more …

Tow-tank testing of a 1/20th scale horizontal axis tidal turbine with uncertainty analysis

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.

Read more …

Sediment Laden Ice Detection using Broadband Acoustic Backscattering Measurements from Calibration Targets in Ice

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

Read more …

A Review of Survivability and Remedial Actions of Tidal Current Turbines

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.

Read more …

Estimation of Acoustic Particle Motion and Source Bearing Using a Drifting Hydrophone Array Near a River Current Turbine to Assess Disturbances to Fish

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.

Read more …

Finite element modeling and effects of material uncertainties in a composite laminate with bend–twist coupling

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.

Read more …

Statement of Best Practices for In-Stream Tidal Energy Development & Operation: Standards and Practices for In-Stream Tidal Energy

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.

Read more …

Maine Tidal Power Initiative: Environmental Impact Protocols for Tidal Power

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.

Read more …

Assessing the influence of inflow turbulence on noise and performance of a tidal turbine using large eddy simulations

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.

Read more …

Community & Business Toolkit for Tidal Energy Development

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.

Read more …

At the End of the Line: Approaches for Adding Sustainable Energy to Rural Maritime Communities

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.

Read more …