Tidal Power in the Bay of Fundy – Advances in Research, Technology and Legislation
Figure 1: Location of Tidal In-stream Energy Conversion Demonstration Site
to Nova Scotia’s renewable energy industry. In 2010, the Government of Nova Scotia created legal targets that require 25% of electricity generation to come from renewable sources by 2015, with a goal of 40% by 2020. The emerging tidal energy industry is anticipated to contribute to Nova Scotia’s renewable energy goals, although it is still in an investigative phase. The province is in the process of creating a regulatory framework for marine renewable energy sectors including tidal, offshore wind and wave. As these industries are in their infancy, perhaps with the exception of offshore wind, there is no existing ‘model legislation’ on which to base a legal framework. However, legislation from other nations such as the UK, New Zealand, the US and Norway has provided examples of approaches for addressing governance of marine renewable energy resources that have helped inform Nova Scotia’s legislative development process. The creation of new legislation will use a collaborative process that respects the rights and concerns of all parties that use Nova Scotia’s offshore waters and will protect the marine ecosystem.
The Role of Research
The OEER and the OETR are not-for-profit corporations established in March 2006 with funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Energy to support research and development of provincial offshore energy issues. OEER was established to undertake offshore environmental research while OETR focuses on offshore research issues of a technical nature. In 2007, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy commissioned OEER to carry out a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) focusing on tidal energy development in the Bay of Fundy. The focus of the SEA was to provide advice on whether, when and under what conditions tidal energy demonstration and commercial projects should be allowed in the Bay of Fundy. Completed in April 2008, the SEA made 29 recommendations, one of which indicated that the province of Nova Scotia should facilitate the development of a collaborative research programme for marine renewable energy development in the Bay of Fundy.
OEER and OETR are currently managing one such programme that aims to help developers and regulators ensure that new TISEC technologies being tested in the Bay of Fundy meet environmental, regulatory and other standards prior to commercialisation. OEER and OETR have jointly funded eight research projects in the area of tidal energy development in the Bay of Fundy. Combined, the studies create the largest research programme ever undertaken on hydrodynamic modelling in the region. The eight projects focus on such diverse research topics as sediment dynamics, tidal energy resource assessment, hydrodynamic modelling, ecosystem responses, fish monitoring and tracking and near and far field effects. These studies, ranging in duration from two to three years, are currently in their second year of funding.
Legislative Endeavours
The outcomes gathered from OEER and OETR research will contribute to the province’s approach to strategic and adaptive planning in regard
The Government is currently conducting a public consultation process on marine renewable energy legislation that involves both community and industry stakeholders. OEER is managing the logistics of this initiative. As outlined in the Marine Renewable Energy Legislation for Nova Scotia Discussion Paper (2010), the Provincial Government’s goal is to develop this industry using a staged approach, ensuring representation and input from all groups involved. Further objectives are to conserve natural resources and prioritise public health and safety, while respecting the interests of other marine users and uses. Final legislation will provide clear, predictable and efficient processes to foster sustainable growth of this industry.
Conclusions
Marine renewable energy is an emerging industry and will require research and development in areas of marine engineering and ecosystem interaction to advance the technology from the demonstration phase to commercial deployment. As the province develops its ocean energy strategy to encompass research and development, OEER and OETR are committed to identifying future priority research areas to reduce barriers of entry for industry and to provide scientific input for regulators.
The Government is
currently conducting a public consultation process on marine renewable energy legislation that involves both community and industry stakeholders.
Through eventual commercialisation of the Bay of Fundy’s renewable energy resources, Nova Scotia can take advantage of greater energy security, more energy self-sufficiency, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and economic growth as a globally competitive ocean renewable energy player. n
1. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), North American Tidal In-Stream Energy Conversion Technology Feasibility Study, 2006. Available at:
http://oceanenergy.epri.com/attachments/streamenergy/reports/ 008_Summary_Tidal_Report_06-10-06.pdf (accessed 24 January 2010).
98 MODERN ENERGY REVIEW – VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1
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