FORCE will accommodate up to 20MW of connection Energy Minister Andrew Younger said. This will allow the centre to implement the next level of device deployment, including small arrays, to connect to the electricity grid. The government also announced the tidal energy developers who have won a chance to deploy their technologies in the Bay of Fundy’s Minas Passage.
Novia Scotia’s recent tender for FORCE berths attracted three qualified bidders of which two, OpenHydro and Black Rock Tidal Power, have been chosen to participate at the research and development centre.
“We are pleased to welcome OpenHydro and Black Rock Tidal Power and their innovative technologies to Nova Scotia, a global centre of excellence for tidal energy development” said Mr. Younger. “I’m committed to advancing the tidal sector and FORCE plays an important role by providing the platform for industry leaders to develop and test their technology in one of the best tidal resources in the world. Our investments today are shaping the new tidal sector of tomorrow.”
The projects will use local suppliers in areas such as engineering, marine fabrication and marine operations. This will them to develop expertise which they can then export to global markets. OpenHydro, with French parent company DCNS and maritime companies Emera, Atlantic Towing, Irving Shipbuilding and Irving Equipment, have been selected as a FORCE berth holder. OpenHydro has a long-established relationship with Emera according to Thierry Kalanquin, the company’s executive chair.
Nova Scotia’s tidal energy market has advanced significantly in recent months, including a new provincial feed-in tariff, a tidal research memorandum of understanding with the UK and successful deployment of a sub-sea cable. The first devices are expected to be deployed in 2015. In addition, the province will host the first International Conference on Ocean Energy to be held in North America in November 2014.
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