[Blue_Nose]

Nova Scotia to get tidal energy centre
CBC News

Nova Scotia is setting up a $10-million research facility to test underwater turbines to convert tidal energy into electricity.

Three Canadian companies have been selected to field test their experimental technologies in the Bay of Fundy, home of the highest tides in the world.

Premier Rodney MacDonald made the announcement Tuesday in Parrsboro.

"It's said that harnessing this made-in-Nova Scotia green energy source could power a minimum of 100,000 homes," he said.

That's about 10 per cent of the electrical grid. However, that vision will only become a reality if these demonstration projects are followed by a commercial development of 200 turbines.

The first step — a strategic environmental assessment of the Minas Channel — is underway.

Energy Minister Richard Hurlburt said ice, fishing activity and sediment could all affect companies investing in underwater turbines.

"We need to understand the possible effects these machines may have on the environment. We may not find the best design for some time, but we must move quickly to meet the challenges of climate change," Hurlburt said.

The three companies chosen for the project are Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Nova Scotia Power and B.C.-based Clean Current.

Minas Basin Pulp and Paper is partnering with UEK Hydrokinetic Turbine, while Nova Scotia Power is aligned with OpenHydro Turbine of Ireland.

The companies will spend between $10 million and $15 million on their test turbines, the first three of which are expected to hit the water in the fall of 2009.

Positive results from one design could create jobs in Cumberland County in maintaining and even manufacturing components of underwater turbines.

The province has earmarked $4.7 million for the tidal energy centre, while EnCana is putting forward a $3-million interest-free loan.

[hr][hr]

Nova Scotia Power owns and operates one of three tidal power plants in the world and the only one in the western hemisphere.

[-Mario-]

I was listening to that this am on cbc radio.... it looks like they are entertaining the idea of letting a fourth proposal to come to the table. They also mentioned that even if the project is a failure, they had the chance to try new technoligy and create new expertice.

[Wullu]

Looks like a very innovative technology. I am guessing it would work in both directions.

The only thing that I wonder about is the system's ability to deal with silt.

[Blue_Nose]

I just hope it doesn't screw up tidal bore rafting on the Shubie!!

[Wullu]

Well if it does, maybe you could slalom through the centres of the turbines at slack tide

[fifeboy]

Wullu wrote:

Well if it does, maybe you could slalom through the centres of the turbines at slack tide

1,2,3.... Opps, just counting the seconds before someone tells us how we are fools for believing in AGW....hockey pucks

[Blue_Nose]

The implications of this are not necessarily to do with Global Warming (of course, you had to bring it up anyway).

The benefits of finding local sustainable sources of energy generation go beyond the emissions generated by other sources.

[Wullu]

fifeboy wrote:

Wullu wrote:

Well if it does, maybe you could slalom through the centres of the turbines at slack tide

1,2,3.... Opps, just counting the seconds before someone tells us how we are fools for believing in AGW....hockey pucks

Well you are, but that has nothing to do with innovative technologies.

[sasquatch2]

Whoopie Shit----Nova Scotia is reinventing the wheel and claiming the credit.

Tidal energy is old stuff.

[Scape]

Hydro and tidal are not the same twit.

[sasquatch2]

Scape

Quote:

Hydro and tidal are not the same twit.

Did anyone post that...twot.

[Blue_Nose]

Considering there's only one tidal generation station in North America (guess where it is, samsquanch), conducting further research is hardly "reinventing the wheel".

[sasquatch2]

Blue_Nose

Considering there's only one tidal generation station in North America (guess where it is, samsquanch), conducting further research is hardly "reinventing the wheel".

The existance of two more in Europe then is irrelevant....?????It's not like the Dutch etc have classified the technology TOP SECRET.

[Blue_Nose]

It's a research project - you know, that stuff smart people do to further develop a technology?

People conduct research on concrete and it's been around since the Roman Empire. Only the ignorant would claim concrete researchers are "reinventing the wheel and claiming the credit".

[sasquatch2]

And a lot of research grants are make work projects for polically connected academics.

A few years back I received a "development grant" to design and build a prototype barrell crusher. To qualify I had to have a working model to demonstrate. I designed and built it. Didn't sand blast and paint it, demonstrated it. They were satisfied--I sand blasted it, painted it, applied my decals and shipped it to the Feds for Northern Canada. I lost the tender for the other 10.....to somebody better connected.