Tidal Energy Projects in Bay of Fundy

Understanding the Bay of Fundy's Unparalleled Tidal Energy Potential

The Bay of Fundy, stretching between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, represents one of the most significant untapped renewable energy resources on the planet. With tidal ranges reaching up to 16 metres—the highest in the world—this natural phenomenon creates an energy potential estimated at approximately 2,500 megawatts of extractable power. For context, this capacity could theoretically supply electricity to over 400,000 homes across Atlantic Canada, fundamentally transforming the region's energy landscape.

The extraordinary tidal conditions in the Bay of Fundy result from a unique combination of geographical and physical factors. The bay's funnel-shaped configuration, combined with its resonant frequency matching the natural oscillation period of the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 12.4 hours), creates a phenomenon known as tidal resonance. This amplification effect means that water volumes exceeding 160 billion tonnes flow in and out of the bay during each tidal cycle, representing kinetic energy potential that engineers and researchers have been working to harness for decades.

From an engineering perspective, the challenge lies not in identifying the resource but in developing technologies robust enough to withstand these extreme conditions while remaining economically viable and environmentally responsible. The current velocities in key locations such as Minas Passage can exceed 5 metres per second, creating both opportunities and significant technical challenges for tidal energy conversion systems.

Current Tidal Energy Technologies and Their Applications

Modern tidal energy extraction relies on several distinct technological approaches, each with specific advantages suited to different site conditions within the Bay of Fundy ecosystem. Understanding these technologies is essential for engineering firms, project developers, and regulatory bodies involved in advancing tidal energy projects in Nova Scotia and the broader Maritime region.

Tidal Stream Turbines

Tidal stream turbines, often described as underwater wind turbines, represent the most actively developed technology for Bay of Fundy applications. These devices extract kinetic energy from flowing tidal currents using rotating blades connected to generators. Current designs typically range from 500 kilowatts to 2 megawatts per unit, with rotor diameters spanning 10 to 20 metres. The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) test site near Parrsboro has hosted multiple tidal stream turbine deployments, providing invaluable operational data for the industry.

Key engineering considerations for tidal stream turbines include:

• Blade design optimisation for bi-directional flow conditions

• Corrosion-resistant materials capable of withstanding saline environments

• Foundation systems suitable for varying seabed conditions

• Power conversion equipment rated for marine applications

• Remote monitoring and maintenance accessibility protocols

Oscillating Hydrofoil Systems

Oscillating hydrofoil technology offers an alternative approach particularly suited to locations with moderate current velocities. These systems use the lift generated by tidal flow over hydrofoil surfaces to create oscillating motion, which is then converted to electricity through hydraulic or mechanical systems. The lower profile of these installations can reduce visual impact and potentially decrease interactions with marine wildlife, addressing important environmental considerations.

Tidal Lagoons and Barrages

While tidal stream technologies dominate current development efforts in the Bay of Fundy, tidal barrage and lagoon concepts remain relevant for comprehensive regional energy planning. These structures impound water during tidal cycles and release it through turbines to generate electricity. The Annapolis Royal Generating Station, commissioned in 1984, remains North America's only tidal barrage power plant, producing approximately 30 gigawatt-hours annually. Though newer projects favour less intrusive tidal stream approaches, lessons learned from Annapolis Royal continue to inform engineering practices throughout the industry.

Engineering Challenges Specific to Bay of Fundy Conditions

Developing tidal energy infrastructure in the Bay of Fundy presents engineering challenges of exceptional complexity. The combination of extreme tidal ranges, powerful currents, variable seabed conditions, and harsh marine environments demands innovative solutions and rigorous engineering practices.

Structural Loading and Fatigue Analysis

Tidal energy devices operating in Minas Passage experience current velocities that can generate thrust loads exceeding 500 kilonewtons on turbine structures. These loads reverse direction approximately every six hours, creating fatigue conditions that require careful structural analysis. Engineers must account for combined loading scenarios including hydrodynamic forces, wave action, and potential impact from floating debris—particularly during spring tide conditions when current velocities peak.

Finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics modelling have become essential tools for predicting structural behaviour under these demanding conditions. Material selection focuses on marine-grade alloys, advanced composites, and protective coating systems capable of maintaining integrity through millions of loading cycles over projected 20 to 25-year operational lifespans.

Foundation and Mooring Systems

The seabed conditions throughout the Bay of Fundy vary significantly, from exposed bedrock to areas covered with unconsolidated sediments. Foundation engineering must accommodate these variations while providing sufficient stability to resist overturning moments and horizontal forces from tidal currents. Common approaches include:

• Gravity-based foundations requiring underwater concrete placement

• Drilled and grouted rock anchors for bedrock installations

• Suction caisson foundations for softer substrates

• Tension-leg mooring systems for floating device configurations

Geotechnical investigations, including multibeam bathymetric surveys, sub-bottom profiling, and sediment sampling, are critical preliminary activities for any tidal energy project. The dynamic nature of sediment transport in high-energy tidal environments also requires ongoing monitoring to detect scour development around installed structures.

Electrical Infrastructure and Grid Integration

Connecting tidal energy installations to Nova Scotia's electrical grid presents distinct challenges related to submarine cable installation, power quality management, and grid stability. Submarine cables must withstand burial in mobile sediments, potential anchor strikes, and electromagnetic compatibility requirements. The variable and predictable nature of tidal generation—while advantageous for grid planning—requires power electronics capable of smoothing output fluctuations and maintaining frequency synchronisation.

The proximity of potential tidal energy sites to existing transmission infrastructure influences project economics significantly. Nova Scotia Power's grid infrastructure in the Minas Basin region requires upgrading to accommodate significant tidal energy capacity, representing both a challenge and an opportunity for regional infrastructure development.

Environmental Considerations and Regulatory Framework

Responsible tidal energy development in the Bay of Fundy demands comprehensive environmental assessment and ongoing monitoring programs. The bay supports globally significant populations of shorebirds, marine mammals, and fish species, including several at-risk populations. Engineering decisions throughout project lifecycles must balance energy production objectives with environmental protection requirements.

Marine Wildlife Interactions

Assessing and mitigating potential impacts on marine wildlife remains a primary focus of tidal energy environmental research. Key species of concern include the endangered North Atlantic right whale, various seal populations, Atlantic sturgeon, and migratory fish species such as Atlantic salmon and striped bass. Engineering responses to these concerns include:

• Turbine blade designs that reduce strike risk through slower rotation speeds

• Acoustic monitoring systems for real-time marine mammal detection

• Operational protocols allowing turbine shutdown during high-risk periods

• Device placement strategies that avoid known migration corridors

• Research partnerships with institutions such as Acadia University and the Bedford Institute of Oceanography

Regulatory Approvals and Permitting

Tidal energy projects in Nova Scotia operate within a regulatory framework involving multiple federal and provincial authorities. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, and the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change all play roles in project review and approval. The Marine Renewable Energy Act, specific to Nova Scotia, establishes the framework for development rights and environmental obligations.

Engineering documentation supporting regulatory applications must demonstrate thorough understanding of site conditions, realistic impact predictions, and robust mitigation measures. Adaptive management frameworks, allowing project modifications based on operational monitoring results, have emerged as an important component of successful permit applications.

Economic Factors and Project Development Considerations

The economic viability of tidal energy projects depends on multiple factors including capital costs, operational expenses, energy production yields, and available revenue streams. Current levelised cost of energy estimates for tidal stream projects range from $350 to $650 per megawatt-hour—higher than established renewable technologies but declining as the industry matures.

Capital Cost Components

Tidal energy project capital costs typically distribute across several major categories:

• Device procurement and commissioning (40-50% of total)

• Foundation and mooring systems (15-25%)

• Electrical infrastructure including submarine cables (15-20%)

• Installation vessels and marine operations (10-15%)

• Project development, engineering, and contingencies (10-15%)

Achieving cost reductions requires advances across all these categories, with particular emphasis on standardised device designs, improved installation methodologies, and optimised foundation solutions suited to Maritime seabed conditions.

Support Programs and Funding Mechanisms

Various federal and provincial programs support tidal energy development in Atlantic Canada. Natural Resources Canada's Emerging Renewable Power Program, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency funding, and Nova Scotia's Renewable Electricity Regulations all contribute to project economics. The recently established federal Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit, providing up to 15% tax credits for qualifying renewable energy projects, represents a significant additional incentive for tidal energy development.

Future Outlook and Emerging Opportunities

The tidal energy sector in the Bay of Fundy is positioned for significant growth over the coming decade. Demonstration projects at the FORCE test site have accumulated thousands of operational hours, validating device performance and building confidence among investors and regulators. Several developers have secured marine renewable energy permits for commercial-scale arrays, with construction timelines extending through 2025 and beyond.

Emerging opportunities extend beyond electricity generation. Tidal energy integration with green hydrogen production represents a particularly promising application, potentially supporting decarbonisation of transportation and industrial sectors. The predictability of tidal resources—knowable decades in advance—provides advantages for grid planning and hydrogen production scheduling that intermittent wind and solar resources cannot match.

For engineering professionals in Atlantic Canada, tidal energy development creates demand across multiple disciplines including structural, mechanical, electrical, geotechnical, and environmental engineering. Local expertise in marine construction, offshore operations, and regulatory navigation positions Maritime engineering firms to support both domestic projects and export services to emerging tidal energy markets worldwide.

Partner with Experienced Engineering Professionals

Tidal energy projects in the Bay of Fundy represent technically demanding undertakings requiring diverse engineering expertise and thorough understanding of local conditions. From preliminary site assessments through detailed design, regulatory submissions, and construction oversight, experienced professional engineering support proves essential for project success.

Sangster Engineering Ltd., based in Amherst, Nova Scotia, brings decades of professional engineering experience to projects throughout Atlantic Canada. Our team understands the unique challenges and opportunities presented by Maritime renewable energy development, including the specialised requirements of marine infrastructure projects. Whether you're advancing a tidal energy concept, evaluating site conditions, or requiring engineering support for regulatory applications, we offer the technical expertise and regional knowledge your project demands.

Contact Sangster Engineering Ltd. today to discuss how our professional engineering services can support your tidal energy initiatives and other infrastructure projects across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the broader Atlantic region. Together, we can help advance sustainable energy development while maintaining the rigorous engineering standards that complex marine projects require.

Partner with Sangster Engineering

At Sangster Engineering Ltd. in Amherst, Nova Scotia, we bring decades of engineering experience to every project. Serving clients across Atlantic Canada and beyond.

Contact us today to discuss your engineering needs.