Sustainable Marine Energy, a leading renewable energy producer, has unveiled the first floating tidal energy platform, which will harness energy from the tides of the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia.
Construction of the floating tidal energy array has already been completed and launched at A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd site in Meteghan, Nova Scotia. As for now, the first-of-its-kind array will undergo commission and testing, then it will be moved to its permanent site at the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE).
According to Sustainable Marine, the platform will be a part of ground breaking Pempa’q tidal energy project, named in honor of the Bay of Fundy’s indigenous communities.
The project is intended to provide up to 9 megawatts of electricity to the Nova Scotia’s grid, enough power to provide for 3000 local homes. It will also reduce nearly 17,000 tones of carbonic emissions per year.
“This tidal technology is the result of a tremendous international effort combining world-class scientific and engineering expertise from our German, Scottish and Canadian teams; it is the culmination of a decade of research and development,” said Jason Hayman CEO of Sustainable Marine.
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And added: “We are very fortunate to have such strong support from our major shareholders, SCHOTTEL and Scottish Enterprise; the Government of Canada, and a wide range of partners and collaborators. PLAT-I 6.40 platform has been designed specifically for the Pempa’q Project – where we will deliver the world’s first floating tidal array – in Nova Scotia, which has the best natural resources in the world to produce clean renewable tidal energy.”
The Pempa’q project is one of first tidal energy projects in Canada; it has the government’s support with more than $28,5 millions of investment, of the largest-ever for tidal energy. It is a part of Canada’s strategy to decarbonize its economy and energy sector.
This new technology only requires two meters of water to become operational, as it aligns to the tidal flow of a river or a coast. It has been designed with easy access for maintenance and operations; and it has not proved to be harmful for any maritime species or sea life.
In this regard, Elisa Obermann, Executive Director of Marine Renewables Canada, concluded; “The construction and launch of Sustainable Marine’s floating in-stream tidal technology is a significant milestone for Canada’s marine renewable energy sector. The project has engaged many local suppliers and offers a sustainable and clean solution for electricity production using a local resource. Projects and innovation like this are central to building Canada’s Blue Economy.”
