Research Portal

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.

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 Dissipation Rates from Horizontal Velocity Profiles at Mid-Depth in Fast Tidal Flows

December 2017

This study characterizes the turbulence in a tidal channel in the Bay of Fundy that has been identified for development as a tidal power resource.

Finite Element Analysis to Assess Fish Mortality from Interactions with Tidal Turbine Blades

February – December 2017

The research project used finite element analysis (FEA) to simulate the impact of a tidal turbine blade on fish, and assess whether mortality of marine life can be expected in such an event.

Geoscience » Play Fairway Analyses Atlases 2010–Present

Sydney Basin Play Fairway Analysis Atlas (2017)

July 2017

The objectives of this Play Fairway Analysis are to build a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the petroleum systems of the Sydney Basin and provide a resource evaluation based on the petroleum systems assessment.  The study concludes there is an effective petroleum system charged by mai

High-Resolution Numerical Model Resource Assessment of Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy

January 2017

Two numerical models developed by the Acadia Tidal Energy Institute are described. The models simulate the tidal flow in the Bay of Fundy, and in particular the Minas Passage. The models have different grid resolution, one suitable for site assessment and one suitable for resource assessment.

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.

Seasonal Erodibility of Sediment in the Upper Bay of Fundy

February 2012 – January 2015

This project developed methods for studying sedimentation to the macro-tidal flats of the upper Bay of Fundy. The researchers looked at seasonal variation in the erodibility of sediments in tidal creeks and flats using a Gust Erosion Chamber and repeated grain size surveys.

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.