Workshop: Infrastructure for marine renewable energy projects – PRESENTATIONS
As part of our supplier engagement and development workshop series, Marine Renewables Canada hosted its final workshop for 2015 – “Infrastructure for marine renewable energy projects” on December 15th in Halifax.
This workshop explored infrastructure requirements for the industry as it grows in Atlantic Canada. Through focused discussion, this workshop highlighted the infrastructure needs of tidal energy projects in the Bay of Fundy and explore what will be required in the next phases of development as tidal energy projects grow from single to multi-devices. Businesses and researchers had the opportunity to learn more about tidal energy projects’ specific requirements and to showcase their applicable skills to help address challenges and find solutions.
Workshop Proceedings
The workshop brought together approximately 75 participants representative of the supply chain, tidal energy project developers, government, and NGOs. Over the course of the event, tidal energy developers provided information on current project plans and specific insight on infrastructure needs.
• Agenda
• Presentations:
Elisa Obermann, Executive Director, Marine Renewables Canada
Sheila Paterson, Business Development Executive, Nova Scotia Department of Energy
Jeremy Poste, OpenHydro Canada Country Manager for Cape Sharp Tidal
Nils Hirsch, Project Manager – FORCE 1 Project, Black Rock Tidal
Dana Morin, Director of Business Development, Fundy Tidal Inc.
Ray Hickey, CAO, Town of Parrsboro
Andrew Dixon, Senior Vice President, Planning & Development, Port Saint John
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Below are the original details of the workshop:
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Time: 9am – 2pm (Lunch will be served)
Location: The Prince George Hotel ~ Windsor Room – 1725 Market Street, Halifax
Workshop Focus: Infrastructure for marine renewable energy projects
In order to develop tidal projects with multiple devices and ensure they operate effectively over long periods, a number of essential equipment and facilities are required. These include electrical cables, electrical hubs, cable landfall, grid upgrades, communications/data systems, operations and maintenance facilities, ports, land transport links, etc.
The growth and advancement of the industry will be dependent on having the appropriate infrastructure in place at the right time. As a region rich in marine and offshore industries, Atlantic Canada can offer ports and supply-chain infrastructure that may be adapted or expanded upon to meet the needs of the emerging industry. This workshop will help identify what’s needed, what exists, and what the timelines for infrastructure needs may be.
In 2011, Nova Scotia Department of Energy commissioned a Marine Renewable Energy Infrastructure Assessment for Nova Scotia, which may serve as a helpful background document for this workshop. It can be viewed here: http://energy.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/Marine-Renewable-Energy-Infrastructure-Assessment.pdf
Background
The growing marine renewable energy sector (tidal, wave, and river current energy) presents numerous opportunities for businesses and researchers to apply expertise, transfer technology, develop innovations, and find solutions required by local and global markets. The global potential of this emerging industry is significant, with ~750 GW of worldwide potential resulting in up to $900-$1000 billion in expenditures.
Getting involved in early local projects is a key competitive advantage and a path to accessing global export opportunities. The opportunity for early participation and market entry is most immediate within the advancing tidal energy developments around the Bay of Fundy where world’s leading project and technology developers are working: large-scale projects at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) and community based projects led by Fundy Tidal Inc. Over the next 5 years, 20 MW of tidal energy is expected to be developed in Nova Scotia resulting in approximately $175M in expenditures. The longer-term goal is 300+ MW post-2020, opening up more opportunities for early movers.
These projects will require local suppliers and expertise. Firms who have experience in related areas (e.g. ocean technology, marine operations, traditional hydro, offshore oil and gas, etc.) have capabilities that can and have been already applied to the tidal energy developments in the Bay of Fundy.
Additional Information
For more information about what kind of business opportunities are emerging in the marine renewable energy sector, please view Business Opportunities from Marine Renewable Energy Development and Project Lifecycle Needs (2012)
For questions or more information, please contact Amanda White at Amanda@marinerenewables.ca / (902) 717-0716