| Résumé | Sea ice capable of impacting marine operations occurs periodically in the most favourable sites for energy harvest from the tidal currents of the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In-stream tidal current harvesting devices deployed at these sites will need to be engineered to tolerate at least 30% cover of sea ice 15 cm thick in floes of at least 100 metres in length. Propelled by tidal currents and prevailing winds, these floes may achieve velocities in excess of 8 knots in some locations. In very severe winters, in-stream tidal current harvesting devices may be subjected to periods of 70% cover of 15-30 cm rapidly moving or packed sea ice. Additional research is necessary to characterize tidal currents in the presence of ice and to design devices which can tolerate the sea ice conditions in the headwaters of the Bay of Fundy, one of North America's greatest tidal power resources. Once ice-tolerant tidal current harvesting devices are developed, they may be deployable in other jurisdictions with energetic tidal flows which experience more severe conditions of sea ice than the headwaters of the Bay of Fundy. In North America, these locations might include Northumberland Strait (between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick), the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Quebec), the Strait of Belle Isle (Newfoundland and Labrador), Cook Inlet (Alaska), and Ungava Bay (Quebec). Beyond the North American Continent, a market for ice-tolerant tidal current harvesting technology may exist in other circumpolar jurisdictions with energetic tidal flows. |
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