Canada: Technology Slows Down Tidal Power Plans

Even though the tidal power technology gives hope, it is still unproven because of many challenges.

In a recently released new marine renewable energy strategy, the NDP government states that the tidal power potential exists but that it requires ambitious and costly measures to make use of it.

According to the strategy, the commercial-scale production of power (300-megawatt in-stream tidal power) for which the government hopes cannot be possible to accomplish until after 2020.

The New Minas site where tidal power testing has occurred has an estimated maximum extractable power capacity of 2,400 megawatts.

The tidal power challenges remain the same even after numerous testing. The test devices could not withstand the forces of the tide at that location, so new technology for making all that energy useful has to be constructed.

The governmental strategy proposes the research, development and regulatory approach to marine renewable energy.

Also included in the strategy is the plan to have small and large-scale developers work together.

The strategy predicts that a large-scale commercial project would require major port infrastructure improvements in the Bay of Fundy.

The main factor that is making this process difficult is the enormous cost of the tidal energy project.

[mappress]

Offshore WIND staff, May 22, 2012; Image: openhydro