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Renewable Energy

Tidal Energy

Engaging in tidal power projects is just one of the numerous green energy initiatives that ASL has been actively pursuing. There is a high level of demand for tidal energy in Canada and the U.S, especially on their respective coastlines due to the high tidal range. ASL utilizes physical oceanographic current surveys (Transect Surveys) and numerical modeling to continuously drive innovation within the field, along with developing techniques for flow measurement and creating high resolution models. Although it is not without its obstacles, tidal energy is a promising field for remote coastal areas that can offer a replacement for diesel electrical generation within indigenous communities, industrial operations, and fishing lodges.

ASL has also been involved in numerous site evaluation projects in areas such as Race Rocks, Victoria, and Campbell River.

ASL has provided specific support on projects with the Canoe Pass Tidal Energy Corporation, where they used numerical modeling to predict flows following the installation of vertical axis turbines. ASL has continued to improve on their Numerical Modeling capabilities and through implementing new innovations, can now offer high-resolution numerical models such as the FVCOM to better support tidal turbine operations. 


Offshore Wind Farms

Wind power has been a key area of interest of ASL for some time, as it is a renewable and clean source of energy that is far more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels and can function without exceeding the earth’s planetary boundaries. Given its natural abundance, ASL sees great value in properly harnessing and generating this energy source, predominantly through their work with developing and designing wind turbines. In the past, ASL has engaged in working with ADCP wave gauges and is continuously searching for new innovative ways to best measure and generate data within this field, as it is a very predictable and stable energy source with significant upside potential.

ASL has worked directly with the renewable energy company, Naikun Wind Development Inc., who proposed constructing and operating a renewable wind energy project in Hecate Strait, just off the North-West coast of B.C in order to provide a clean and affordable energy source to better serve the province. ASL was contracted to measure the waves and currents over the duration of a winter period, utilizing a bottom mounted TRDI ADCP wave-current gauge to obtain the data. ASL’s measurements included tidal speeds, wave heights and periods, water levels, as well as wind and storm speeds and occurrences. These measurements resulted in frequent storms and wave heights reaching up to 6 meters and generating current surges of 5 meters per second. 

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion 

OTEC is a new field that ASL is keen on exploring as there is a great deal of intriguing applications that can come from utilizing the temperature differences between the warm surface waters and cold deep waters in the pursuit of generating clean, reliable energy. One of the key standouts with this form of renewable energy is that unlike wind and solar which are episodic in nature, OTEC can remain continuous and uninterrupted for all hours of the day and is not reliant on external conditions such as weather or daylight. There are countless applications centered around OTEC including the desalination of water which can address the planets increasing demand for fresh water and aid in aquaculture and marine research. There is also a demand for an energy source such as this for disaster relief purposes, particularly in areas that have recently suffered or are prone to naturally occurring disasters and frequent power loss.

ASL’s Acoustic Scintillation Flow Meter (ASFM) is extremely applicable to this sector in relation to flow measurement. Through taking into consideration all potential affects and impacts of harnessing this energy source, ASL feels that this is a crucial next step in the name of renewable energy.  

Wave Energy as a Resource

The fact that ocean waves have enough energy to require marine engineers to factor them into their designs also makes them a promising renewable resource. Potential wave energy sites along the BC coast and worldwide are being evaluated and measurements are being made to access the long term wave climates.

ASL Environmental Sciences #1-6703 Rajpur Place V8M 1Z5 Saanichton, BC
Canada

Phone: +1 250-656-0177
Email: [email protected]
Website:www.aslenv.com