CANADA
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
To further activity under the Canada-United Kingdom Joint Declaration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nova Scotia, the Offshore Energy Research Association of Nova Scotia (OERA), and the United Kingdom’s Technology Strategy Board (TSB, now InnovateUK) was signed in March 2014 to encourage joint research to develop new and innovative technology for high-flow tidal environments. As a result of this MoU, a joint research fund was launched and 2 projects were announced in 2015:
- Emera, OpenHydro, Ocean Sonics, Acadia University, Seam Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) Canada, and from the UK, Tritech, and SMRU: the Project will deliver an innovative system using both passive and active acoustic sensor technologies to improve ‘real-time’ tracking of fish and mammals at tidal sites in the Bay of Fundy.
- Rockland Scientific, Dalhousie University, Black Rock Tidal, and from the UK, FloWave TT, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), and Ocean Array Systems: Development of a new sensor system to measure the impact of turbulence on tidal devices. The project results will be used to improve turbine designs and operation performance, as well as assessment of installation sites. This is a EUREKA-designated project.
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Canada has been actively engaged in the standards development process for marine renewable energy since the inception of IEC TC114 in 2007. The Canadian committee consists of a volunteer group of 32 technical experts from industry, academia and federal and provincial governments. Canadian experts are working on all active project teams within TC114, including the 6 published standards, as well as the 9 other standards currently in the drafting stage (https://webstore.iec.ch/searchform&q=iec%2062600). Canada continues to engage in research specifically targeted towards addressing the knowledge gaps encountered during standards development. The areas of research included are: environmental noise measurement; river converter power extraction and resource assessment; ice and debris impact for river and tidal site; reliability and load factor guidelines and long term wave energy converter performance.
INTER-PROVINCIAL INITIATIVES
Nova Scotia and British Columbia renewed their partnership to advance Canada’s marine renewable energy sector through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2015. The Memorandum of Understanding outlines key priorities, including partnering on research and technology development, and sharing information and best practices in regulation and permitting. The Memorandum represents a commitment from both provinces to further develop the tidal resource in the Bay of Fundy and wave-generated energy on British Columbia’s west coast.
PROVINCIAL INITIATIVES
In April 2015, Nova Scotia’s Offshore Energy Research Association (OERA) released the Value Proposition for Tidal Energy Development in Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada and Canada, to determine the potential of building a tidal industry in Canada. The study examines the economic potential that could be realized over a 25-year period to 2040. It found that the new industry could contribute up to $1.7 billion to Nova Scotia’s gross domestic product (GDP), create up to 22,000 full time positions and generate as much as $815 million in labour income. This opportunity is significant as there will be spill over effects in the Atlantic region and elsewhere in Canada.
OTHER CONFERENCES
The Marine Renewables Canada Annual Conference will be held in the fall of 2016.
