ASL Environmental Sciences Inc. Collaborates with Nunatsiavut Government and Oceans North for Tidal Current Study

ASL Environmental Sciences Inc. is excited to announce the successful completion of an initial multi-week study to measure tidal currents in partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government and Oceans North. This collaboration is part of the Nunatsiavut Energy Security Plan, aiming to investigate clean, renewable energy solutions for coastal communities and reduce reliance on diesel-generated electricity.

The study involved conducting current transect surveys using Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) across the study area. Subsequently, ADCPs were deployed on moorings at three strategic locations within the Rigolet Narrows waterway and were recovered in September 2024. The data collected in this first phase informed the selection of suitable sites for a more extended Phase 2 measurement period, which includes observing tidal currents throughout the full annual tidal cycle. The deployment for Phase 2 was completed in the fall and is set to be recovered in the summer of 2025. The processed tidal current datasets from both phases will offer valuable insights for evaluating tidal energy potential, addressing operational hurdles, and determining optimal locations for potential future in-water tidal turbines. A community consultation is planned during the Phase 2 recovery to discuss the findings.

This initiative supports the advancement of renewable marine energy infrastructure, aiding in preliminary front-end engineering design (PRE-FEED), construction planning, and site suitability assessments by employing high-quality physical oceanography measurement techniques.