Mission Accomplished: Tidal Energy Project Successfully Installs Underwater Power Cables in the Bay of Fundy The Bay of Fundy is now wired for power: four underwater power cables have been successfully installed in the Minas Passage, each able to deliver electricity directly to homes across the province. The Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) has laid four cables along the sea floor of the Minas Passage, giving FORCE the largest transmission capacity for tidal power in the world. The four cables, with a combined length of 11 kilometres, have a total capacity of 64 megawatts, equivalent to the power needs of 20,000 homes at peak tidal flows. The operation lasted almost four weeks, from mobilization through sea trials and finally cable deployment. The final cable was deployed October 28. Each 34.5 kilovolt cable, together with its reel, weighed over 100 tonnes. “This is an exciting step that international tidal developers have been waiting for,” said Nova Scotia Energy Minister Andrew Younger. “There is a tremendous amount of expertise and precision required to lay a subsea cable in the challenging conditions of the Bay of Fundy. Nova Scotia companies have been involved in this work every step of the way, and have gained the skills and knowledge to help them reach global markets. Our tidal resources, particularly in the Bay of Fundy, will make a significant contribution to the province, as a growing economic generator with export potential and as a new power source.” Over 25 personnel were directly involved in planning, mobilizing, surveying, and installing the cables. The project used expertise from Nova Scotia, the Maritimes and abroad. Antigonish-based R.J. MacIsaac Construction acted as lead contractor for marine and onshore activity. The other companies involved in the cable installation include: Seaforth Geosurveys (survey support), Dartmouth; Strum Engineering (electrical engineering support), Dartmouth; ETA (sub-sea cable specialists), Southampton, England; Hughes Offshore and Shipping Services, Halifax; Irving Equipment Ltd. (cable loading), Saint John, N.B.; Northumberland Electric, Parrsboro; Rafes Construction, Parrsboro. More at fundyforce.ca
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:09:40 +0000
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