OceanWorks Wins FORCE Tidal Contract in Bay of Fundy

OceanWorks International has been awarded a contract by the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) to instrument a cable termination for a ground breaking tidal energy project in the Bay of Fundy. The project includes the design, manufacture and integration of the subsea instrumentation, shore station, and commissioning.

FORCE is deploying four power cables to connect prototype in-stream tidal turbines to a dedicated electrical sub-station. By providing this infrastructure, FORCE is lowering the ‘barrier to entry’ for turbine manufactures to test their equipment in one of the most demanding tidal environments. The planned deployment will take place in Atlantic Canada’s Bay of Fundy, which is renowned for having the highest tidal range in the world. When deployed, the first of the four cables will be equipped with cable termination instrumentation which is provided by OceanWorks International. This will add valuable information on the behavior and likely lifetime of the cables that are essential for the connection of turbines to the electrical grid, and ultimately to the end customers for the delivery of clean power.

FORCE is Canada’s leading test center for in-stream tidal energy technology. FORCE works with developers, regulators, and researchers to study the potential for tidal turbines to operate within the Bay of Fundy environment. FORCE provides a shared observation facility, submarine cables, grid connection, and environmental monitoring at its pre-approved test site. The Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, Encana Corporation, and participating developers have provided funding for the project.

“We are looking forward to a healthy and long lasting working relationship with FORCE”, said Mr. Rod Stanley, Chief Executive Officer at OceanWorks International. “Together with FORCE, we strive to create clean, renewable power for generations to come.”

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Press Release, September 18, 2012