Can this giant turbine turn the tide for ocean energy?

SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick — The next great hope for renewable energy is moored to a dock in this Canadian port city. It resembles a beached Ferris wheel.

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Gallery: Can this giant turbine turn the tide for ocean energy?

Cape Sharp Tidal

Cape Sharp Tidals s

Andrew Maykuth

Timing is everything: The Bay of Fundy tides are on full display in Alma, N.B., where the water level rises and falls more than 40 feet in a few hours.

Andrew Maykuth

The Minas Passage in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, where the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy is organizing the deployment of four different types of in-stream tidal energy generators. Fundy's severe tides are funneled through the three-mile wide passage, magnifying their legendary force. The tides have proven to be a big challenge for engineers designing tidal energy devices. The first turbine deployed in these waters in 2009 got torn apart by the fierce currents.(Andrew Maykuth/Staff)

Andrew Maykuth

The Annapolis Tidal Generating Station in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

Ocean Power Technologies

The PowerBuoy, built by Ocean Power Technologies, captures wave energy rather than tidal forces.

Black Rock Tidal Power

An alternative generator design incorporates an array of smaller turbines that are submerged near the water's surface.

Andrew Maykuth

Christian Richard, director of Cape Sharp Tidal

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Designed to capture the power of the legendary tides of the Bay of Fundy, the 52-foot-diameter Cape Sharp Tidal turbine endured the winter and spring on the seabed in Nova Scotia, generating electricity. Now in port for upgrades, the 1,100-ton machine looks as if it has survived a couple rounds with a powerful adversary.  http://www.philly.com/philly/business/energy/can-this-giant-turbine-turn-the-tide-for-ocean-energy-20170901.html
Article courtesy of The Inquirer-Daily News.com by Andrew Maykuth