Tidal power generation in the glaciated, macrotidal Minas Scour Trough, Bay of Fundy, Atlantic Canada

Abstract

The configuration of the Bay of Fundy results in large tides (up to 17 m) which give rise to strong currents (Fig. 1d). Harnessing these currents to generate electricity has been the focus of engineering schemes dating from 1910. Fundy tidal power generation has garnered attention periodically throughout the twentieth century (Gordon et al. 2014). The seabed and water column conditions in the Minas Scour Trough at the NE head of the Bay of Fundy (Fig. 1a, d) are now the subject of engineering studies to characterize the site for electricity generation. Test installations have been deployed on the seabed, the subsea cable to collect and transmit power to the electrical grid on land has been laid and future infrastructure instalments are planned. Fig. 1. Multibeam swath bathymetry and geophysical profile of the main Minas Scour Trough, Bay of Fundy. ( a ) Sun-illuminated multibeam-bathymetric image showing the tidal scour system developed in, from west to east, Minas Channel, Minas Passage and Minas Basin. Inset interpretation shows the extent of the scour trough. Acquisition system Kongsberg EM1000. Frequency 95 kHz. Grid-cell size 5 m. ( b ) Seismic-reflection profile in Minas Channel showing eroded glacimarine sediments and exposed bedrock cropping out in Minas Scour Trough. VE×67. Acquisition …