Research Portal

Using Dry Ports to Support Nova Scotia’s Tidal Industry

March – June 2018

This study investigates two Nova Scotia “dry ports” and their potential in supporting the Bay of Fundy region’s emergent tidal energy industry. The term ‘dry port’ refers to a port where the harbour bottom is mainly exposed at low tide.

Tidal Energy: Strategic Environmental Assessment – Bay of Fundy (Phase I)

April 2018

This Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) provides advice on whether, when and under what conditions tidal energy demonstration and commercial projects should be allowed in the Bay of Fundy.

Geoscience » Seismic & Marine Sound

Establishment of Baseline Biological Data on Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) Offshore Cape Breton for Future Assessment of Potential Impacts of Seismic Noise on Snow Crab

April 2012 – February 2015

The study investigates the impact of sound energy generated by acoustic/seismic arrays on snow crabs.

Geoscience » Seismic & Marine Sound

Test Snow Crab Response to Seismic Stress

February 2012 – September 2013

There is concern in Atlantic Canada that there is insufficient information on the potential effects of seismic noise on snow crab.

Marine Renewable Energy: Background Report To Support a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Cape Breton Coastal Region, inclusive of the Bras D’Or Lakes

June – December 2012

In 2011 following a competitive request for proposal process, OERA commissioned AECOM’s Halifax office to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for marine renewable energy in Cape Breton.

Cape Breton Tidal Energy Resource Assessment

November 2011 – October 2012

In support of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Cape Breton Region, inclusive of the Bras d’Or Lakes, Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) units were deployed at Barra Strait, Seal Island Bridge and Carey Point to collect tidal flow information.  Potential sites for tidal e

A Framework for Environmental Risk Assessment and Decision-Making for Tidal Energy Development in Canada

March – May 2012

There is still a high degree of uncertainty regarding the environmental implications of in-stream tidal energy initiatives. This report outlines a science-based environmental risk assessment and decision-making framework for the emergent in-stream tidal energy industry.

Renewable Generation Supply Chain Opportunities in Atlantic Canada

January 2012

This report explores the following questions in relation to onshore wind, offshore wind, tidal energy, biomass energy and systems to power remote on- and off-grid communities:

Nova Scotia Tidal Energy Symposium - Small Tidal Workshop

July 2011

As part of the two-day Nova Scotia Tidal Symposium: Getting Power to Market held on July 7 and 8, 2011, the Province of Nova Scotia hosted a half-day small-scale tidal workshop. This workshop included a gap analysis for small-scale in-stream tidal technology.

Geoscience » Seismic & Marine Sound

Feasibility of a Marine Vibroseis System to Minimize Potential Impacts of Seismic Surveying on Commercial Marine Invertebrates

May 2010 – May 2011

Marine vibroseis (a sound generating system that uses a large oscillating mass to emit a range of frequencies) offers an alternative to air-gun seismic sources and may have fewer environmental effects on marine biota.