FORCE – Tidal Energy Project Expands Team
(Halifax, NS)
Nova Scotia’s efforts to harness the power of the highest tides in the world are accelerating this year, and more people are joining the project to help ensure its success.
Today, speaking to industry, science, and government representatives at the Nova Scotia Energy Research and Development Forum, Tony Wright, general manager of FORCE (the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy), announced two new staff members and two new volunteer board members have joined the team to help realize the clean energy potential in the Bay of Fundy.
“As we build on the success of installing the first-ever subsea cable in the Minas Passage, and prepare to install four subsea power cables this year, we are entering a period of tremendous activity and growth,” said Tony Wright, general manager of FORCE. “We are very pleased to welcome new staff and board members to strengthen our efforts.”
Anne-Marie Belliveau joins FORCE as the new director of operations. Ms. Belliveau is a professional engineer and certified project manager with background in managing large, multi-disciplinary environmental engineering projects. Ms. Belliveau has a BEng from Dalhousie and an MSc from NYU.
Simon Melrose has been named the project manager for the FAST (Fundy Advanced Sensor Technology) platform. Mr. Melrose is a well-known ocean scientist and most recently served as Nova Scotia manager for Oceans Ltd., Canada’s largest marine weather and oceanographic company, providing services to both offshore oil and gas operations, as well as mapping the tidal resource in the Minas Passage.
Janet MacMillan joins FORCE’s newly expanded board as an independent director. Ms. MacMillan is a partner and lead strategic counsel at National Public Relations, and specializes in such areas as risk, reputation and crisis management, citizen engagement, governance and regulatory matters.
FORCE also welcomes Paul Jamer to the board as an independent director. Mr. Jamer is a Marine Engineer and VP of corporate development for Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA) – a Canadian systems integration company that provides electrical, mechanical and marine engineering solutions to a global marine and offshore market. AKA and its strategic partners are leaders in the successful deployment of environmentally conscious technologies in the marine industry.
Former executive director Doug Keefe continues to work with FORCE as special advisor to general manager Tony Wright.
“The caliber of people we are fortunate enough to attract to our staff and our board is the reason we continue to be successful. These are outstanding individuals who contribute immensely to our collective tidal power efforts,” said Mr. Wright.
About FORCE
FORCE is Canada’s lead centre for tidal energy technology research and demonstration, located in the Bay of Fundy. FORCE collaborates with industry, government, and researchers to study the interaction between tidal turbines and the Bay of Fundy environment, providing research, environmental monitoring, and the electrical infrastructure for commercial development. FORCE receives funding support from the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, Encana Corporation, and participating developers.
More at www.fundyforce.ca
Media Contact: Matthew Lumley
902.406.1166 x2
matt.lumley@fundyforce.ca