Research Portal

Going with the Flow II: Using Drifters to Address Uncertainties in the Spatial Variation of Tidal Flows

October 2017 – June 2018

Drifters are one of the oldest, simplest and most reliable methods for measuring ocean currents. Drifters also provide a simple, low risk platform from which to gather acoustic information along flow streamlines or ‘drift tracks’.

FORCE Site Marine Operations – Lessons Learned

November 2017 – April 2018

In recent years, marine operators have completed dozens of operations in the Minas Passage, from research surveys to instrument deployment, to the installation of electrical infrastructure to turbine deployment.

Nova Scotia Small Tidal Test Centre: Gap Analysis and Business Case

November 2017 – March 2018

As the tidal energy industry develops, there is increasing interest in the prospects for small-scale tidal energy development. Building small-scale tidal energy installations has promise given the number of locations where they can be used.

Measuring the Acoustic Detection Range of Large Whales from an Ocean Glider to Improve an Acoustic Whale Alert System for use by the Offshore Marine Industry in Atlantic Canada

April 2017 – January 2018

Researchers investigated a novel and in-development passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) system for use as a marine mammal detection technique. The work builds on a current research initiative between Dalhousie University and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI).

Turbulence in Grand Passage Nova Scotia: Measures of Intermittency

April – December 2016

Turbulence research is very important to advancing the in-stream tidal energy sector, however turbulence in general is not well understood.  Measurement at prospective turbine locations is essential prior to development, given the high degree of spatial variability between sites.

Use of Fish Tracking Data to Model Striped Bass Turbine Encounter Probability in Minas Passage

September 2016

This project used fish tracking datasets and VEMCO detection-range tests to calculate fish-turbine encounter probabilities for striped bass.

Funding and Financial Supports for Tidal Energy Development in Nova Scotia

June – September 2016

To help ensure Nova Scotia and Canada benefit from a sustainable marine renewable energy industry over the longer term, this study identifies the suite of applicable funding and financial support mechanisms used in different jurisdictions around the world, recommends a combination that may be sui

MRE Infrastructure Assessment Update

May – August 2016

This project reviewed the results of a 2011 study to identify where significant changes in infrastructure demands have occurred.

Geoscience » Play Fairway Analyses Atlases 2010–Present

Central Scotian Slope Atlas (2016)

January – August 2016

The objective of this project was to identify and technically evaluate any significant exploration leads and prospects in the area of interest.  The study used integrated 3D basin modelling analysis to assess the timing of maturation of source rocks, transformation ratios, hydrocarbon entrapment,

Spectral and Structure Function Estimates of Turbulence Dissipation Rates in a High Flow Tidal Channel Using Broadband ADCPs

January 2016

Spectral and structure function methods are implemented to compute the dissipation rate, ε, from broadband, diverging-beam, acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) data collected at four sites in a high-flow tidal channel.