Longer term, she says Ottawa should become a partner in developing low-flow Fundy tidal power and possibly offshore wind turbines. Funding, she says, could be part of an initiative to add renewables to the national power grid.
The Fundy Applied Sensor Technology platforms are part of a $6.8-million program to learn what goes on in Minas Passage as countless tonnes of water are funnelled through it with each tide.
The 650-kilogram, three-metre-long FAST 1 on display in Parrsboro on Monday will be placed in Minas Passage over the coming months to start gathering data on current strength, turbulence, marine life activity, noise levels and seabed stability.
By spring, Chris Huskilson of Emera may know whether his vision of renewable energy generation for Nova Scotia will be realized within a few years.
Emera, Nova Scotia Power Inc.’s parent company, is in a joint venture with Irish company OpenHydro that plans to generate tidal energy for the Nova Scotia power grid beginning late this year. If Cape Sharp Tidal succeeds, tidal power could take off.
A memorandum of understanding, signed by representatives from both provinces Tuesday at the Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference in Halifax, says the provinces will share research and technology related to tidal energy.
