Cape Sharp Tidal has deployed its 2MW turbine at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) test site near Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Designed and manufactured by OpenHydro, the demonstration open-centre turbine has been connected to grid and generated first renewable in-stream tidal power from the Bay of Fundy.
DCNS Energy and Marine Infrastructure senior vice-president and OpenHydro chairman Thierry Kalanquin said: "In two hours within one tidal cycle, we deployed an open-centre turbine in the Bay of Fundy and soon after, secured the export of power to the Nova Scotian grid.”
The turbine uses a fraction of the estimated 7,000MW potential of the Minas Passage to power the equivalent of about 500 Nova Scotia homes.
Canadian Minister Energy Michel Samson said: "As we make the first in-stream tidal energy connection to the Canadian grid, we are ushering in a new era in marine renewable energy and taking an unprecedented step toward a lower carbon future."
Cape Sharp, a joint venture between Emera and OpenHydro/DCNS, plans to deploy the second turbine in 2017, making it one of the largest generating arrays in the world.
The 4MW demonstration project is expected to eliminate 6,000t of greenhouse gas emissions and is expected to contribute to Nova Scotia's greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Cape Sharp aims to develop up to a 300MW commercial tidal array to supply clean, renewable energy to over 75,000 customers. It was launched to deliver tidal energy projects in the Bay of Fundy.
Image: Illustration of demonstration open-centre turbine. Photo: courtesy of DCNS.