BLIND CHANNEL

PROJECT

The Blind Channel Tidal Energy Demonstration Centre in British Columbia aims to integrate Tidal Energy Converters (TECs) into community-scale renewable energy systems. Tidal energy harnesses predictable currents and has shown promise since the 1970s. Mavi Innovations deployed a 25 kW TEC at Blind Channel in 2017 and operated for several months, and now with the support of PRIMED, they plan to re-develop it into a regional test center. The project will demonstrate a hybrid renewable energy system using tidal, solar, and diesel power, promoting the transition from diesel to renewable sources for coastal communities.

THE SITE

A MAP OF THE SITE

THE TECHNOLOGY

PRIMED Research

behind the scenes

Blake Holowaty

What is this?

“This is a model of a catamaran style floating tidal energy platform which will be used in Blind Channel to support a vertical axis turbine”

What research did you work on?

“I worked on the layout of the electrical cabinets, initial debris deflector analysis (i.e, weight, volume, and buoyancy calculations), mooring line design, and hydrodynamic response simulations of the platform and mooring assembly.”

Why this design?

“The circular crossbeam that spans the width of the platform is key to accommodate vertical axis turbines. The intention is that the crossbeam mounting bracket can be used interchangeably for turbine developers seeking power output validation of their turbine design.”

Why this design?

“Typically, standard all chain moorings scour the seabed. However this new design aims to reduce seabed contact from the mooring, to minimize potential environmental impacts on the sediment, invertebrates, and other marine life.“

Rezvan Rakhshan

What is this?

“This first model is a side-view animation of velocity contours from an unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation of the New Energy vertical axis turbine, which is being developed for the Blind Channel Project.”

What research did you work on?

“I conducted unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the tidal turbine to validate its performance and extract key parameters such as power output, torque, thrust, and lateral forces. These results support the development of the tidal platform design and inform control strategies.”

Why this design?

“The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation provides the power coefficient versus tip-speed ratio (CP–TSR) curve, which is used by the microgrid’s energy management system for power dispatch and load balancing. It also supplies thrust and lateral force data which are essential for designing the turbine platform.” 

What is this?

“This second model is an animation of deformation contours from Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations under various load cases, showing the crossbeam where the tidal turbine will be mounted.”

What research did you work on?

“I performed static and fatigue analysis on the turbine mounting bracket attached to the crossbeam. The bracket geometry was iteratively refined to withstand variable loads from the turbine, waves, and currents.”

Why this design?

“The analysis ensures the mounting bracket can safely withstand operational loads from the turbine, waves, and currents. Geometry refinements were made to meet structural strength and fatigue durability requirements.”

PROJECT TIMELINE

behind the scenes

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2017 Mavi Innovations

Mavi Innovations deploys a 25 kW TEC at Blind Channel and operates it for several months. The TEC does not provide power to the microgrid.

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2019 Resource assessment

PRIMED undertakes further resource assessment on site with the deployment of an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) to accurately characterize the tidal resource in support the development of a new integrated tidal energy project to evaluate the benefits and challenges of integrating tidal energy into remote hybrid renewable energy systems.

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2021 Further data collection

PRIMED undertakes a second ADCP deployment and develops a high resolution 2D tidal model along with imitating an energy audit of Blind Channels annual energy use to support a prefeasibility study.

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March 2023 prefeasibility study complete

PRIMED and Mavi complete the prefeasibility study, supporting the sizing of TEC and microgrid components.

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April 2023 project funding secured

PRIMED secures $2 M from the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation – Energy Innovation Branch to undertake detailed design, procurement, and project build out.

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May 2023 developer rfi

PRIMED releases an RFI to identify suitable developer partners for the resident TEC. HPG is selected as the successful technology provider.

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june 2023 site inspection

PRIMED with Mavi Innovations undertakes an ROV survey of legacy subsea infrastructure as well as the Blind Channel microgrid.

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november 2023 Regulatory compliance initiated

PRIMED engages with provincial and federal agencies to update and transfer existing licenses and approvals from Mavi to UVic.

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January 2024 Front end engineering and design

PRIMED and Mavi Innovations along with partners BMT Canada complete design studies for onshore and offshore components.

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January 2024 Front end engineering and design

PRIMED and Mavi Innovations along with partners BMT Canada complete design studies for onshore and offshore components.

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may 2024 diesel generator installation and commissioning

A new 90 kW diesel generator to provide system redundancy is installed on site.

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august 2024 first nation engagement

PRIMED engages with three local First Nation’s on the project.

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September 2024 Baseline Environmental Monitoring Report

Hatfield Consultants LLP completes a baseline environmental assessment report, forming as the basis for regulatory compliance and the Environmental Monitoring Program.

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November 2024 Provincial tenure transfer completed

PRIMED officially receives an updated Investigative License of Occupation under the provincial Land Act for offshore works from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

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December 2024 Fisheries Act Letter of Advice received & solar PV system installed

PRIMED is granted a Letter of advice under the Fisheries Act to proceed with offshore works and is advised to apply for a Species At Risk Act permit. The 46.2 kW solar PV array is installed on site.

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March 2025 Installation of battery energy storage system and micro grid controller

The containerized battery storage and control system developed by BMT Canada is installed in March and commissioned in May.

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March 2025 SARA Permit received

PRIMED receives a SARA permit enabling offshore works and requiring dive surveys preceding the installation of marine infrastructure components.

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April 2025 BC Marine Energy and Decarbonization Hub

UVic partners with the COAST to develop the BC Marine Energy and Decarbonization Hub. COAST supports the Blind Channel project with funding and project management.

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August 2025 Submarine cable installation

The submarine power cable and subsea junction box are installed on site preceded by environmental dive surveys.

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November 2025 Transport Canada Compliance

The existing Approval under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act is transferred from Mavi to UVic and amended.

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August 2026 Anchor block installation

The second anchor block and components of the dynamic two point mooring line are installed on site.

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January 2024 Front end engineering and design

PRIMED and Mavi Innovations along with partners BMT Canada complete design studies for onshore and offshore components.

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January 2024 Front end engineering and design

PRIMED and Mavi Innovations along with partners BMT Canada complete design studies for onshore and offshore components.

[
January 2024 Front end engineering and design

PRIMED and Mavi Innovations along with partners BMT Canada complete design studies for onshore and offshore components.

[
January 2024 Front end engineering and design

PRIMED and Mavi Innovations along with partners BMT Canada complete design studies for onshore and offshore components.

Project Partners