Tidal Energy in the Bay of Fundy

Abstract

With increasing global energy demand, clean and renewable tidal energy is an appealing alternative energy source. The predictable and reliable nature of tides makes tidal energy an interesting option for electricity generation. The Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, has the world’s highest tides, with a range of over 16 m vertically and 5 km horizontally. Specifically, the Minas Passage area of the Bay of Fundy has been selected for tidal energy research, where tidal energy may be harnessed without a great environmental impact. This area has straight flowing currents and a sediment-free bedrock sea floor, suitable features for in-stream tidal turbines. FORCE (Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy), a not-for-profit partnership, has been conducting the research in the Minas Passage area, along with Natural Resources Canada’s CanmetENERGY and other collaborators. The history of tidal energy activities in the Bay of Fundy is presented and the different in-stream technologies are described in this case study. A tidal barrage, (the Annapolis tidal generating station), has been operating for several years. In addition, various companies have begun testing in-stream turbines at the FORCE test site. Challenges are identified for both technologies. The tidal barrage has impacted marine life, as well as local erosion. In the case of the tidal turbine, the first turbine deployed did not withstand the Minas Passage flows.