ONC to Gather Bay of Fundy Tidal Energy Data

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), an initiative of the University of Victoria, has further expanded its footprint across Canada with the launch of a new collaboration with the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE).

With advanced observatories on the Pacific coast and in the Canadian Arctic, today’s launch on the Atlantic coast establishes ONC’s operations from sea to sea to sea.

This collaboration, initiated by ONC’s Innovation Centre, will provide FORCE with a sophisticated data acquisition, archiving and visualization system that supports the Province of Nova Scotia’s leading edge research and development of in-stream tidal technology.

In 2012, ONC was a major contributor to FORCE’s original design and installation of the world’s first cabled underwater monitoring tidal demonstration platform specifically for extreme tide conditions.

Today, Ocean Networks Canada continues this commitment by enabling FORCE users enhanced access to environmental sensor data over the Internet in real-time from the Bay of Fundy. A range of instrument data are provided, from current weather conditions to wave and tidal information, as well as a daily time-lapse video from the weather station at the tidal energy test site. Oceans 2.0 also streams this information live for the benefit of guests to the FORCE visitor center at its spectacular location overlooking Minas Passage.

FORCE will take advantage of all existing Oceans 2.0 functionalities, including:

  • data search and data product downloads;
  • video archive and device control;
  • robust system security, plus established data backup and redundancy processes;
  • scalability that can support instruments deployed in the future;
  • private data hosting for commercial clients (such as turbine vendors) as well as open data sharing for researchers and the public;
  • a dedicated development team to provide new and improved functionality and tools; and
  • exposure to a worldwide audience through ONC’s data portal.

ONC’s Innovation Centre builds upon its proven technologies and global partnerships to develop commercial and policy applications for ocean observing system technologies, and to advance Canada’s marine technology industry across the country and around the world.

Tony Wright, General Manager, Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) said: “FORCE is building an underwater sensor platform that will soon be able to deliver real-time data from the Minas Passage. Understanding this powerful environment is critical to successful turbine design, environmental effects monitoring, and ultimately unlocking Fundy’s enormous energy potential. We are pleased to work with Ocean Networks Canada to enhance the accessibility of that data to scientists and developers around the world.”

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Press release; Image: fundyforce