Science, Technology and the Environment
Energy From the Tides
The Bay of Fundy separates Nova
Scotia from New Brunswick.
It has the biggest tides in the
world. They’re over 16 metres in
height!
Imagine the flow from all the
freshwater rivers in the world.
Now, multiply that by four.
That’s how much water rushes in
and out of the Bay twice a day –
160 billion tonnes.
The incoming tide moves from
the outer Bay through Minas
Passage into the smaller Minas
Basin. The current is especially
powerful there. It reaches peak
surface speeds of up to six
metres per second.
Bay of Fundy Tides
Tides are caused by the moon’s gravity pulling on the Earth’s oceans.
This creates a bulge on the surface of the ocean at the side of the moon.
As the moon revolves around the Earth, it pulls the bulge with it.
Why are the tides in the Bay of Fundy the world’s highest? The Bay of
Fundy water has a natural oscillation. Picture water sloshing back and
forth in a bathtub. The oscillation in a bathtub takes only a second or
two, but the water in the Bay of Fundy takes between 12 and 13 hours to
rock from the mouth of the bay to the head of the bay and back again.
That temporarily raises the surface water at each end.
Meanwhile tides flood into the Bay twice a day. The tide reinforces the
oscillation. It’s like giving an extra push to a child on a swing to make
the swing arc higher. In addition, since the Bay is shaped like a large
natural funnel, it becomes narrower and shallower towards its upper
part. That forces rising tides even higher.
source of power? That’s exactly
what scientists want to find out.
On November 22, they lowered
a huge turbine to the sea floor
What if all of this kinetic energy
of the Minas Basin. The turbine
could be captured and used as a
is five stories high and weighs
Renewable energy
1000 tonnes. It looks somewhat
like a giant jet engine but it spins
like an underwater windmill.
The power the turbine creates is
generating electricity. It travels
through underwater cables
Definitions
kinetic energy: the energy that is produced when
something moves
oscillate: move or swing back and forth at a regular speed
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turbine: a machine for producing continuous power in
which a wheel or rotor, typically fitted with vanes, is made to
revolve by a fast-moving flow of water, steam, gas, air, or other
fluid
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2016/2017: Issue 5
Science, Technology and the Environment
Energy from the Tides
connected to Nova Scotia’s
power grid. This one turbine
generates two megawatts of
electricity. That’s enough to
power 500 homes.
“It’s a huge milestone in the tidal
industry,” said project manager
Jeremy Poste.
Testing...
The turbine is the first of its kind
to be installed at Fundy Ocean
Research Centre for Energy
(FORCE). The Nova Scotia
government created FORCE for
developers to test-drive their
turbines in one of the most
powerful currents in the world.
At FORCE, companies have
an observation facility on
land and “berths” for the
experimental turbines. As well,
they have access to underwater
power cables and other special
equipment.
Harnessing the tide
So far, tidal power has not
attracted much attention
compared to other forms of
renewable energy. The reason?
The technology needed to
capture tidal energy is still
developing.
Costs will eventually drop. Still,
some experts say tidal power
won’t be affordable for years.
Equipment also has to withstand
harsh conditions. A $10-million
turbine tested seven years ago
lasted just days before its blades
were ripped off by the tidal
current.
There are also environmental
issues. Will turbines or their
noise disturb marine life? Will
they reduce lobster fishing, so
important to the region?
Yet tidal power also has much to
offer. It doesn’t burn fossil fuels
or produce greenhouse gases. It’s
also predictable and reliable. The
wind doesn’t always blow and
the sun doesn’t always shine. The
tide, however, keeps coming in
and out, on schedule.
A big step forward
It’s too soon to say if the benefits
outweigh the drawbacks. Still,
Nova Scotia Energy Minister
Michel Samson called it a new
era as he flipped the first switch.
“We are taking an
unprecedented step towards a
lower carbon future,” he said. J
The energy produced by the
Minas Basin prototype is about
eight times more expensive than
the average of other sources.
Other Sources of
Renewable Energy
Moving water (rivers that
generate hydroelectric power)
is Canada’s most important
renewable energy source. It
provides about 59 percent of our
electricity generation. Quebec
produces the most hydroelectric
energy. B.C., Newfoundland and
Labrador, Ontario and Manitoba
also produce large quantities.
Wind energy accounts for 3.5
percent of electricity production,
largely from wind farms in
Ontario, Quebec and Alberta.
Bioenergy generates 1.4 percent
of Canada’s electricity. It uses
energy from the sun stored in
biological material. The most
common source is wood or wood
waste burned to make heat or
steam for generating electricity in
pulp and paper mills.
Solar energy is also a
fast-growing power source
in Canada. The sun’s energy,
collected in solar panels, heats
water or air. Solar cells can also
convert sunlight into electricity.
Geothermal energy is captured
from heat stored beneath the
Earth’s surface, or from heat
in the atmosphere and oceans.
Heat pumps now installed in
many homes and businesses use
the difference in temperature
between the outside air and the
ground or groundwater.
Definitions
ERa: a period of time that has a particular quality or
character
2016/2017: Issue 5
Unprecedented: never having happened or existed before
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Science, Technology and the Environment
Energy from the Tides
ON THE LINES
Answer the following in complete sentences:
1. Which body of water has the highest tides in the world?
2. How much water flows in and out during each tide?
3. Describe the electric equipment that was installed on the ocean floor in late November.
4. What is the purpose of this huge turbine? Explain how it works.
5. How much electricity can this turbine generate?
6. Explain what FORCE is.
7. List at least two benefits of tidal power.
8. List at least two unknown or negative drawbacks of tidal power.
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2016/2017: Issue 5
Science, Technology and the Environment
Energy from the TIdes
BET WEEN THE LINES
An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence. A plausible inference is supported by evidence in the
article and is consistent with known facts outside of the article.
What inference(s) can you draw from the fact that tidal power is much more expensive than solar or
wind power?
JUST TALK ABOUT IT
1. As you see it, what is the significance of this story? Explain.
2. Consider the following quote: “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything
new.” - Albert Einstein
a) What is your understanding of this quote?
b) As you see it, in what ways does this quote relate to the article “Energy from the Tides”?
c) Describe a time when you benefited from failing at something. How did you benefit? Explain.
3. The money being spent researching tidal power would be better spent on further refining solar,
wind, or other well-established clean technologies. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Why?
ONLINE
Note: The links below are listed at www.lesplan.com/en/links for easy access.
1. Watch “Tidal Power 101” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkTRcTyDSyk
2. See the Minas Basin turbine in action on CBC’s The National at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxh7JWF1aEY
3. Visit the website for Nova Scotia’s Department of Energy at http://energy.novascotia.ca/
4. Watch videos and go much deeper on the FORCE website at http://fundyforce.ca/ J
2016/2017: Issue 5
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Crossword
Energy from the Tides
1
2
A
3
S
O
4
5
6
7
C
T
9
8
V
R
10
R
T
11
I
ACROSS
12
S
DOWN
2. Nova Scotia energy minister
1. Minas _____
4. FORCE = Fundy _____ Research Centre
for Energy
3. FORCE is located in Nova _____
7. FORCE turbine generates two _____ of
electricity
4. Bay of Fundy has a natural _____
5. province that produces the most
hydroelectric power
9. the Bay of Fundy has the largest _____ in
the world
6. the moon's _____ causes tides
10. a form of energy that is carried through wires
8. an engine with blades that are caused to
spin by pressure from water, steam, or air
11. energy produced when something moves
12. crustacean that lives in the Bay of Fundy
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2016/2017: Issue 5
Map Assignment
Energy from the Tides
Complete this map assignment to better understand the article Energy From The Tides.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Obtain the required resources and read all the instructions before starting.
2. Colour your map after all labelling is completed.
3. Print in pencil only first, then go over the printing in black ink.
4. Work carefully and neatly.
Resources Required: pencil, black pen, pencil crayons, ruler, eraser and an atlas.
Part A Locate and label the following provinces in CAPITAL letters and shade each as indicated:
Nova Scotia (pink)
Prince Edward Island (yellow)
New Brunswick (green)
Part B Locate and label the capital city of each province and underline each city name.
Part C Locate and label the following islands:
Cape Breton Island
Sable Island
Part D Locate and label the following Nova Scotia towns and cities:
Sydney
New Glasgow
Truro
Parrsboro
Part E Locate and label the following New Brunswick cities:
Moncton
Saint John
Part F Locate and label the following and shade all ocean water dark blue:
Bay of Fundy
Northumberland Strait
Atlantic Ocean
Minas Basin
Gulf of St. Lawrence
Part G Locate and label the following and shade these water bodies light blue:
Bras d’Or Lake
St. John River
Part H Mark the location of the FORCE tidal turbine.
Part I Complete your map with a frame, title and compass. J
Nova Scotia
2016/2017: Issue 5
What in the world? • Le vel 1
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0
25
50
75
100 Kilometres
Tidal Turbine
KEY