As engineers, Atlantic Canada is truly a unique place to be. Living on the East Coast provides us an opportunity to work in one of the most interesting aspects of our field – marine surveying. Similar to construction projects that require surveying to assess surface qualities and ownership boundaries, marine surveying is necessary when constructing projects in or near the marine environment.
The challenges presented by marine construction are substantial; saltwater erodes building foundations, ocean floors change daily due to currents, and supplying power to structures requires special materials and astute planning. Determining a suitable construction location demands careful consideration of fishing areas, shipping routes, and spawning/migratory grounds for aquatic life. First and foremost, marine construction must be committed to environmental safety and awareness.
On the other hand, the finesse and difficulty involved in constructing marine projects make the final product that much more rewarding. For a glimpse, there are some amazing projects, underway currently right here in Atlantic Canada!
Maritime Link
The Maritime Link is a renewable energy project designed to transfer hydroelectric power from Muskrat Falls, Labrador to Nova Scotia via a system of transmission lines. The link will require 170 kilometers of HVdc (high-voltage direct current) transmission cables to be built under the Cabot Strait and a host of other significant infrastructure. Once finished, the link will connect Newfoundland to the North American transmission grid, and grant Nova Scotia access to a reliable renewable energy source. Strum has been actively involved in the project, and we’ve provided an array of services that are listed here. Construction is currently underway, and the project is slated to be finished in 2017. For more information on the Maritime Link, follow the link here.
FORCE tidal energy
FORCE (Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy) is a tidal turbine demonstration facility located in the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy with the objective of harnessing tidal energy via 4 in-stream tidal turbines. The turbines spin when water is pushed by the strong Bay of Fundy current, producing energy that’s then transferred along the seafloor and, eventually, to a power grid. The project is at the forefront of tidal energy and continues to fuel exciting discoveries on tidal turbines. More information on the project can be found here.
Both the Maritime Link and FORCE tidal energy projects are exciting examples of the fascinating things that maritime communities can achieve when harnessing marine en-ergy. Strum is hard at work providing bathymetric surveys, underwater high-resolution 3D scans, dispersion modelling, benthic surveys, and services tailored to companies working in marine environments. For more information, email info@strum.com or contact one of our 4 offices.