NS Power and OpenHydro Deploy In-stream Tidal Turbine in the Bay of Fundy

November 12, 2009 – Vol.14 No.34

NS Power and OpenHydro Deploy In-stream Tidal Turbine in the Bay of Fundy.

Nova Scotia Power (NS Power) and its tidal technology partner OpenHydro have successfully deployed the first commercial scale in-stream tidal turbine in the Bay of Fundy. The 1 MW turbine is now operational, rotating with the tides, collecting data, and producing energy.

"Working with OpenHydro, we are proud to be the first to deploy and test a commercial scale tidal turbine in the Bay of Fundy and look forward to the learnings ahead," said Rob Bennett, President and CEO of Nova Scotia Power.

"Today is an historic first for Nova Scotia," said James Ives, CEO of OpenHydro. "For the first time, thanks to Nova Scotia Power's foresight and OpenHydro's technology, a commercial size in-stream tidal turbine has been successfully deployed in what is undoubtedly one of the world's strongest tidal energy resources."

The 440-ton device was lowered in less than six hours to its intended location on the ocean floor by the purpose-built barge called the OpenHydro Installer. The barge and the deployment method were both designed and developed by OpenHydro.

The turbine now rests on the seabed held in place by a subsea gravity base also designed by OpenHydro and fabricated by Cherubini Metal Works, a Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-based company.

Nova Scotia Power's involvement with this tidal energy test facility is supported by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), an arm's-length, not-for-profit corporation created by the Government of Canada.

Nova Scotia Power provides more than 95 percent of the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power to 482,000 customers in the province with 10-12 percent from renewable energy sources.

OpenHydro is an Irish energy technology company whose business is the design and manufacture of marine turbines for generating renewable energy from tidal streams. (11/12/09)

Links:

Nova Scotia Power
http://www.nspower.ca

OpenHydro
http://www.openhydro.com

--- Nova Scotia Power and OpenHydro Unveil Tidal Turbine for Bay of Fundy.

--- Nova Scotia Department of Energy: Tidal Energy Facility Partners Announced.

Disclaimer, Forward-Looking or Safe Harbor Statement on original press release: No