The tidal-stream energy resource in Passamaquoddy-Cobscook Bays : A fresh look at an old story

The Passamaquoddy–Cobscook Bay archipelago, located near the entrance to the Bay of Fundy where the mean tidal range is 5.7m, has long been regarded a promising site for tidal-power development. Modern low-head turbines allow power extraction primarily from the kinetic energy of the tidal stream, rather than from the potential energy of an impounded basin, eliminating the need for expensive and elaborate systems of dams, locks and gates. Although the available power levels are much less in streaming applications, the resource may still be significant and accessible in areas with strong tidal flows, because the available power follows the cube of the current speed. The much lower costs per installed kilowatt and the relatively minor environmental impacts warrant a fresh look at the tidal-stream resource.