QUATSINO NARROWS
assessing tidal energy resources
PRIMED is developing a model of tidal currents in Quatsino Narrows for the purpose of evaluating the potential energy available and the feasibility of tidal energy generation.
The work is being funded by an initiative of NRCan, CanMetENRGY.
FIELDWORK
Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) Deployment
The aim of this work is to collect current speed data to improve the accuracy of a hydrodynamic model of the tidal flows in this area. This data and model will be used to evaluate the feasibility of tidal energy generation.
NOVEMBER 2024
In November 2024, an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) was deployed in Quatsino Narrows, an instrument that uses sound to measure how fast water currents move across the water column, water level and turbulence of the water. Divers conducted an inspection of the deployed ADCP frame and mooring system, which used two 50 meter ground lines and two weights on either end.
FEBRUARY 2025
In February 2025, the ADCP was recovered from Quatsino Narrows by the PRIMED team, 3 months after it’s deployment.
Behind The Scenes
drone and drifter survey
The aim of this work was to collect current data through the Narrows that will be used to validate the energy model.
FEBRUARY 2025
In February 2025, a drone and drifter survey was carried out. This involved hovering a drone above the waterway and distributing floating drifters in the tidal currents. A combination of pumpkins and hand built drifters with GPS trackers were used for this. The drone recorded the path of the drifters over time, and information on the speed and distribution of the tidal currents were analysed from the recording.