With two in-stream tidal energy turbines scheduled for deployment this summer, there has been increasing excitement and concern about what this means for Nova Scotia’s future.
Some worry that even testing turbines will be harmful to marine life because Nova Scotia’s previous experience with the Annapolis Tidal Station showed significant effects on fish, sediment and coastal erosion.
But the Annapolis Tidal Station is a dam. And like most conventional hydroelectric dams, it traps water in a permanent, concrete enclosure, forcing marine life through the turbine.
In-stream devices are different. Resembling underwater windmills, they are placed in the natural flow of ocean currents. These devices are scalable and removable. In fact, that’s already happened. One device has gone in and was removed a year later.
Several years ago as the former CEO of Xerox Services was recovering from an illness, he watched the Caribbean tides coming in and out and had a big thought.
"I just became obsessed with the idea of why can't we figure a way to harness this energy."
Blodgett formed a new company, Big Moon Power, and set out to do just that in January 2015. But while other attempts to tame the highest tides in the world have used some form of turbine design, some of which have generated a lot of controversy, Big Moon uses something different.
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One of the five-storey high turbines was scheduled to leave Pictou this weekend to be taken by barge around the province to a test location in the Minas Basin near Parrsboro.
However, Nova Scotia Environment Minister Margaret Miller says the province has yet to approve a proposed environmental effects monitoring program.
“They're awaiting for us to look over that. We're working with our partners at DFO, and when we have all the information we'll be able to make a judgment call on that environmental approval,” Miller said in an interview.
Cape Sharp Tidal has put the brakes on the deployment of its first turbine in the Bay of Fundy, originally set for this weekend so it can meet with concerned community members.
Sarah Dawson, community relations manager with Cape Sharp Tidal told the Chronicle Herald Thursday that despite extensive outreach activities, there are still stakeholders in the region that feel like they have not been fully heard.
“We are taking a pause to. . .hear from those who don’t feel like they have an opportunity. It’s important that we listen and we learn and we always learn from these sorts of engagements,” Dawson said in an interview.
