On November 30^th and December 1^st, OREG members and participants were joined by new interested parties in the historic University Hall at Dalhousie University in Halifax.  Almost 100 locals, other Canadian and international ocean energy leaders joined in the symposium and associated meetings.  The updates from the British Wind Energy Association’s Michael Hay, incoming chair of International Energy Agency Ocean Energy Systems and Powertech Labs manager Gouri Bhuyan, and AquaEnergy President and founding chair of the European Union Ocean Energy Association Alla Weinstein confirmed the ongoing development of ocean energy in Europe, but indicated that needed work should be shared internationally.

Four company presentations explored the steps and strategies being used to bring ocean energy to a practical reality; they showed those new to the sector that technical approaches remain highly varied and that companies are in a range of development stages.  They also showed impressive progress by Canadian companies in the last year.

The theme of the event was tapping into research and industry experience to support ocean energy development.  To that end, OREG has had meetings with the research community in Victoria, Vancouver, St John's and Halifax in recent weeks. A workshop associated with the symposium demonstrated a Canadian strength and interest in looking at renewable ocean energy's environmental interactions.  This broad theme may be developed in coming months as the Energy at Dalhousie centre stimulates collaborative activity across the country and internationally.  It could address the impact of the environment on ocean energy infrastructure, structure dynamics and energy transfer, engaging capabilities at NRC IOT, UBC and UVic.  It could address the impacts of installations, engaging DFO's COOGER in Halifax, Dalhousie, and other universities on both coasts.  It could also address the integration issues as ocean power is considered for application, micro-grid, distribution or transmission.  Scott Couch from the SuperGen Marine research network in the UK shared thoughts that the middle of these could benefit the European efforts as well as Canada.

Accomplished ocean oceanographic and ocean engineering company leaders (Michael Tarbotton, Triton Consultants; David Lemon, ASL; and, Simon Melrose, Oceans Ltd.) showed how their experience in work with oil and gas and ports and harbours aids in regional resource assessment, site selection and forecasting for operational management. This was a strong session resulting in much company to company discussion during the breaks.

A broader discussion on linking offshore oil and gas experience to renewable energy heard from Paul McEachern of OTANS, who stated that his industry members recognise the emergence of renewables as an inevitable opportunity, but one they need to take action on soon.  Specifically, he proposed that his members should participate in missions to engage with the European leaders as well as local companies.

One of the biggest initiatives in this year's Fall Symposium was recruiting participation by the power industry as supporters of the event, as delegates and speakers.  The final session heard from James Taylor (Nova Scotia Power) indicating their active work to develop a tidal stream energy project for Minas Passage, find a way to test a number of technologies and secure a broad financing group.  John Evans (Fortis Properties) looked at lessons learned from developing power projects - in the case of hydro, a proven technology, but often implemented in a developing part of the world - in the case of ocean energy, an emerging technology, initially being implemented in the developed world.  His conclusion "These projects are doable".  Scott Travers of Minas Basin Pulp and Power made the case that regional industry needs these power projects as much as society needs them for sustainability.  George Porter of the New Brunswick System Operator made a very constructive presentation on integration of tidal power into the Maritimes.  The participants were encouraged by his analyses in which he opened some ideas of how tidal power across the region might actually benefit system performance - this analysis was something that could have started a whole new event - perhaps it will.

The symposium attracted the New Brunswick Minister Jack Kier and Nova Scotia Deputy Minister Alison Scott whom both referred to tidal energy development as a regional priority.  Final speaker Nova Scotia Power CEO Ralph Tedesco, remarked that the holding of a national event at Dalhousie, engaging international players, local business, provincial governments and federal agencies was a great endorsement of the emerging regional focus on renewable ocean energy.

As has been the case in past events, we achieved some great networking exchanges.  We also engaged with a broader public by participating in the Energy at Dalhousie lectures series with a panel of presentations by Gouri Bhuyan, Alla Weinstein, Michael Hay and OREG's Jessica Johnson.