Tidal Hydrogen

The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world. The effect of this phenomenon is dramatically increased by the narrow passage called Minas Passage. Four times a day, 1,110 square kilometers of water in the Minas Basin must squeeze through this 3.7 kilometer passage. The result is a rush of water equal to all of the fresh water rivers in the world.

At a time when the globe is looking to reduce greenhouse gases, this enormous energy source is being overlooked. Experts estimate that there is a potential for 3,000 to 7,000 megawatts or more of power from this source. As you read this article, the tide is flowing but fossil fuels are being used to create electricity because the tidal energy flow is not being captured.

The tides are dependable and 100% predictable to the second. They do not depend on wind or sun, and are not affected by floods or droughts. Tidal energy is the most constant of the zero-emission energies, and this tidal source in the Bay of Fundy is going unharvested.

One problem that we have always had is that there is no way to store the energy produced. We now can produce hydrogen with the power generated from the Bay of Fundy. This will be 100% zero-emission hydrogen… unlike most hydrogen, which is low emission hydrogen. Hydrogen is another way of storing energy.

It takes electricity and water to make hydrogen. A hydrogen manufacturing facility on the coast near Parrsboro could produce the world’s cleanest hydrogen 22 hours a day, 365 days a year, using tidal energy. Nova Scotia could be a major exporter of hydrogen and could make a huge contribution in the effort to reduce green house gases.

Hydrogen could be shipped from Parrsboro by rail, highway, ship or pipeline. Within a 24 hour drive, there are 125 million people. That’s more than three times the population of Canada.

There have been recent discussions with officials in the federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government and there is significant interest in working together to solve this challenge. A number of private sector partners have also expressed an interest in tidal hydrogen. I am convinced that we are sitting on the edge of a huge opportunity.

Click on  “Tidal Hydrogen  - As we speak...”  above for a short slide show on Fundy Tidal Hydrogen.