A rising tide lifts all boats: Tidal Power Conference, May 13-14

Next weekend the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre (ABCC) will be flooded with tidal energy experts from around the globe when the OREG Spring 2009 Tidal Conference comes to town. OREG, short for Ocean Renewable Energy Group is the premiere annual gathering of experts in the field, so it is fitting that this year’s event will take place within spitting distance of the worlds highest tides.

For local residents, the most important item on this year’s agenda is the free for all comers Open House May 12, 7 p.m. at ABCC This is your chance to learn about where tidal energy development stands, where it is headed, and express concerns and desires about where it should be headed and how fast. The results of the open house will be presented to the conference during the ‘Stakeholder Interests in Sustainable Success’ Session the following day. “The conference itself is aimed at experts -- technical people, engineers, that type of professional. They’ll be coming from around the world. It’s very far reaching,” explains Terry Thibodeau of the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency (ADEDA) who played an instrumental role in securing the OREG Conference for Annapolis-Digby. “But, we anticipate that the general public would like to find out more about how this will impact their lives, their environment. So, we [ADEDA] are trying to develop awareness about tidal energy as it comes into fruition, and to start to promote development in some of our coastal areas,” Thibodeau continues. “We know there is more energy out in that [Bay] there than almost anywhere. The question is how can you harness it?” Thibodeau points out.

Thibodeau predicts offshore tidal development will happen, and when it does he wants Annapolis-Digby businesses and communities to benefit. Work is underway to identify and encourage opportunity for businesses. Thursday’s open house should contribute to the conversations that are needed to identify community concerns and make them part of any discussion and debate. “We encourage the public to come out for the Open House, and we encourage businesses to come out and think about what they might have to offer, like on the welding side, or the supply side. There will be plenty of needs for the land-based economy to support.” says Thibodeau. “ADEDA is trying to position this region to take advantage of land-based activity that will accrue from growth [in tidal power generation], and to work with the developers to get those machines in the water. If somebody is keen to do it, we will be there to help them navigate the regulatory process, make sure they satisfy any permitting requirements, and to encourage innovation. As technologies continue to converge, we may reach a point in the future where a fish plant or a town could drop a micro-generator in the water and satisfy their own electricity needs. For example, Lewis Moulding on the Sissiboo River. What if they could put a machine in there?”

Thibodeau also hints that tidal power is but one card in the strategic regional development deck. “We’re trying to get each municipal unit [the County and towns of Middleton, Bridgetown and Annapolis Royal] each to work on one renewable project. And, we’re talking to the municipalities and large institutions like schools to consider coverting to heating with wood pellets in order to create a local market [for a local energy product].”

Moving forward, alternative energy development in the Annapolis-Digby region represents a unique situation where social demands and economic growth appear to be asking for the same thing. Nonetheless, community discussion will be needed to navigate these waters and allow for strategic and sustainable development according to our communities’ wishes and designs.

The OREG Conference coming to Annapolis-Digby acknowledges that the technologists and entrepreneurs are interested in us.

The opening Open House represents a chance to learn more about what’s coming and begin to express your interests to them. *****

May 12, 7 p.m.

Open House presented by Ocean Renewable Energy Group

Annapolis Basin Conference Centre

Admission is FREE and everyone is welcome!

Agenda:

7:00 - 7:15: The Regional Electricity System and the Role of Tidal Electricity

7:15 - 7:30: The Fundy Tidal Projects: Progress and Updates with John Ferland, Ocean Renewable Power Corp.

7:30 - 7:45: Fundy Tidal in the World of Ocean Energy Development with Chris Campbell, OREG

7:45 - 8:40: Questions and Comments

8:40 - 9:00: Reaction and Conclusions

Contact: Terry Thibodeau, tthibodeau@annapolisdigby.com

Visit www.annapolisdigby.com or http://bit.ly/3eUzx for more information ---

May 13 & 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

OREG Spring 2009 Tidal Conference

Annapolis Basin Conference Centre

On-site registration: Members $450, Non-members $550

Contact: Terry Thibodeau, tthibodeau@annapolisdigby.com

Visit www.annapolisdigby.com or http://bit.ly/2KZ3S