New Brunswick/Nova Scotia power development

A sea of difference
Published Saturday December 12th, 2009
Power: Nova Scotia explores tidal energy, as New Brunswick's policies keep development at bay
C1QUENTIN CASEY
FOR THE TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
HALIFAX - If the current drive to harness the powerful Bay of Fundy tides can be classified as a race, then it is clear New Brunswick is trailing Nova Scotia.

Photo Submitted Last month this turbine was lowered onto the Bay of Fundy’s seabed by two groups which have partnered on a pilot energy project – Nova Scotia Power and OpenHydro, an Irish tidal technology firm. The one-megawatt unit is the first commercial tidal turbine to be deployed in the bay. But that's not necessarily bad news for some New Brunswickers - including the premier - who are calling for a cautious approach to what they classify as an unproven technology.

That contrasts with Nova Scotia, where tidal energy work is intensifying. Developers in the Bluenose province are already producing power from a massive turbine successfully planted on the ocean floor last month.

While New Brunswick researchers are still determining which sites have the most potential for tidal projects, Nova Scotia developers are envisioning a day when 300 turbines could be placed in the bay - converting the roaring tides into enough electricity to power 100,000 homes.

At this point, ground zero for tidal development in the Bay of Fundy is located about three kilometres off shore in the Minas Passage, about 10 kilometres west of Parrsboro, N.S.

There, under the cold bay waves, sits a massive turbine about 10 metres in diameter. The turbine, with blades that are pushed by the rushing tides, sits atop a large metal tripod that is 25 metres long. The whole unit weighs 360 tonnes.

The device was lowered onto the seabed last month by the two groups partnering on the pilot project: Nova Scotia Power and OpenHydro, an Irish tidal technology firm.

The one-megawatt unit is the first commercial tidal turbine to be deployed in the Bay of Fundy, thanks in part to $9 million from the Nova Scotia government.

And so far, so good.

The unit has remained in position and is producing power. Though not yet hooked to shore by a cable, the turbine's power is being converted to heat and released into the water.

"All systems are working," says Nick Murphy, who is overseeing OpenHydro's operations in North America, which include a similar project in Washington's Puget Sound.

"It's a step toward larger projects in the future. We're very confident that this is doable with more than one unit. The economics look very viable in comparison to other renewable power sources."

For OpenHydro, the goal is to perfect their tidal technology and then sell the turbines to governments and utilities looking to fight their dependence on dirty coal and oil power sources.

The Irish firm has already tested its technology extensively in Europe and was the first company to pump electricity from tidal streams into the United Kingdom's national grid.

For Nova Scotia Power, the vision includes up to 300 turbines one day below the surface - silently and invisibly generating emission-free power.

Across the bay in New Brunswick, however, the adoption of tidal power is moving at a slower pace.

Back in May 2008, Irving Oil Ltd. announced it was partnering with the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, based in St. Andrews, to research 11 potential sites for tidal power generation.

The two-year project is examining tidal patterns, climatic conditions and behaviour of aquatic life in the selected areas, such as Head Harbour Passage, Cape Enrage and Cape Spencer.

Jeff Landry, manager of business development for Fort Reliance, Irving Oil's parent company, says the group hopes to have a list of preferred sites narrowed down by this time next year.

After that, the goal is to put some form of pilot technology in the water.

But for that to happen, the New Brunswick government must first adjust its approach to tidal power.

The province's current policy confines potential developers to research. Demonstration projects, such as the one in Nova Scotia, are not allowed.

"Hopefully in the near future the government's policy will catch up with us," Landry said. "Otherwise, all of the research we're doing would largely be for not."

According to the Department of Natural Resources, a new tidal policy is now in development and will be complete sometime next year. Department officials expect the policy to push the tidal sector beyond the research and exploration phase, but declined to offer details.

David Coon admits New Brunswick is moving slower than Nova Scotia on tidal power, but argues that may be a good thing.

The executive director of the New Brunswick Conservation Council says tidal developments must be approached cautiously because of the risk posed to marine life.

"It's something we should be going slowly on for ecological reasons," he said. "I wouldn't put tidal at the top of the list in terms of which renewable technologies we'd want to fast-track."

Premier Shawn Graham is also hesitant about jumping fully into the tidal game.

Though he says he is encouraged by the new trials, he warns that many questions remain.

"It's still unproven on what the cost competitiveness is for these tidal power projects. Anyone can set up a project where it costs 20 cents a kilowatt," he said.

"If it's not within the 10 cent per kilowatt range it means you either have to increase power rates or find another subsidy.

"I'm encouraged by the potential, but it's not an immediate solution to the challenges facing our province."