The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy

What The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy does

The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) is a private not-for-profit research organization, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Nova Scotia, Canada, operating Canada's leading tidal stream energy test facility in the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy. FORCE provides permitted offshore infrastructure for tidal turbine developers — four berths connected by 11 km of 34.5 kV subsea cabling (64 MW capacity) to a shore-based substation and a 10 km, 69 kV transmission line linking to the Nova Scotia provincial grid via the Parrsboro substation. The site takes advantage of the world's highest tides, with water depths up to 45 metres, peak currents above 5 m/s, and an estimated 2,500 MW of practically extractable tidal energy without significant effect on peak tide height.

FORCE's research and monitoring stack includes the proprietary FAST-1 and FAST-2 underwater sensor platforms for high-flow environments, the Vectron turbulence measurement instrument co-developed with Nortek Scientific, and a long-running Environmental Effects Monitoring Program covering fish, marine mammals, lobsters, seabirds, and marine noise. The organization serves tidal turbine developers (notably Orbital Marine Power and Eauclaire Tidal), provincial and federal government agencies, academic researchers led by Acadia University, and Indigenous rights-holders (Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq). In 2025, FORCE secured an $8.2 million grant from Natural Resources Canada for the Ocean Sensor Innovation Platforms (OSIP) project and hosted Canada's first tidal energy array authorization under a new staged regulatory framework, authorizing up to three O2-X turbines (approximately 7.5 MW total).

FORCE's business model is grant- and partnership-funded rather than commercially priced. Revenue derives from federal and provincial government support (Natural Resources Canada, Province of Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Offshore Energy Research Association), negotiated infrastructure access for turbine developers, collaborative research partnerships with academia and Indigenous organizations, and public engagement through a free visitor centre that has welcomed more than 30,000 people since opening. The organization operates 12 staff under an Executive Director and a board comprising industry, government, academic, and Indigenous representatives.

Name

The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy

Legal name

The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy

Website

https://fundyforce.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) is a Canadian not-for-profit that operates the Minas Passage tidal energy test site in the Bay of Fundy, providing subsea cabling, grid connection, and environmental monitoring infrastructure to tidal turbine developers while running long-term marine science programs with government, academic, and Indigenous partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Renewable Energy Research and Testing

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Hydrokinetic R&D (Tidal, Wave, River Current, OTEC) (EUAMAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tidal Stream Power Generation (In-Stream Turbines) (EUACAJAB), Underground & Submarine Cable EPC (HV/EHV) (EUAEABAB)

Keywords

• Tidal energy testing
• Marine sensor monitoring
• Environmental effects monitoring
• Subsea power infrastructure
• Marine renewable research

Headquarters

HQ city

Parrsboro

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Infrastructure Access and Grid Connection Services: FORCE provides common infrastructure including subsea power cabling, substation, and grid connection to turbine developers. The facility accommodates multiple turbines at designated berths connected by submarine cable to shore-based infrastructure.
2. Research and Monitoring Services: Conducts environmental effects monitoring programs, applied research programs, and site characterization studies in collaboration with partners. Services include instrumentation, mooring and subsea platform deployment, hydroacoustic data processing, and environmental monitoring study design and execution.
3. Government and Funder Support: FORCE has received support from Government of Canada, Province of Nova Scotia, Offshore Energy Research Association, and participating developers. Natural Resources Canada announced $8.2M funding for OSIP project in 2025.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FORCE operates a permitted in-stream tidal energy test site in the Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy, providing offshore berths, subsea power cabling, an onshore substation, and grid connection so that tidal turbine developers can deploy and validate their devices. Around this core it runs the Environmental Effects Monitoring Program, the FAST sensor platforms and the Vectron turbulence instrument, and it offers a public Visitor Centre and Learning Portal for community engagement.

Product overview

The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) operates as Canada's leading tidal stream energy research and testing facility, not a traditional software product. The core offering is the Minas Passage test site—a permitted offshore facility providing electrical infrastructure (subsea cables, substation, grid connection) for tidal turbine developers. Supporting products and services include the FAST (Fundy Advanced Sensor Technology) monitoring platforms, the Vectron turbulence measurement instrument, a comprehensive Environmental Effects Monitoring Program, a public Visitor Centre, and an online Learning Portal. The Ocean Sensor Innovation Platforms (OSIP) project represents a new initiative to develop autonomous environmental monitoring systems. All monitoring data is shared through online portals and collaborations with Ocean Networks Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tidal Energy Test Site (Minas Passage) Canada's leading in-stream tidal energy test facility located in Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy. Provides four permitted berths with 11 km of 34.5 kV subsea power cabling (64 MW capacity), a 30 MW substation, a 10 km 69 kV transmission line to the provincial grid at Parrsboro, and associated environmental monitoring for tidal turbine developers.
• FAST (Fundy Advanced Sensor Technology) Program Underwater monitoring platforms designed for high-flow tidal environments. FAST-1 weighs 4.5 tons and is 4 m long for frequent deployment and recovery; FAST-2 weighs 650 kg and is 3 m long with a subsea data cable enabling real-time data. Platforms capture current profiles, fish abundance, depth, temperature, salinity, particulate matter, turbulence, zooplankton abundance, sea floor stability, conductivity, tide, and acoustics.
• Vectron turbulence measurement instrument World's first instrument to accurately measure turbulence throughout the water column, developed in partnership with Nortek Scientific. Combines the range of an ADCP with the accuracy of an ADV, generating high-fidelity turbulence measurements through turbine hub height (intensity, time and length scale distributions).
• Environmental Effects Monitoring Program (EEMP) Comprehensive environmental monitoring program conducted continuously since 2009 covering fish, marine mammals, lobster, seabirds, and marine noise. Includes sensors for marine-life activity, current speed and turbulence, water quality, and ambient noise, with public reporting of marine mammal observations.
• Echofilter machine-learning model Machine-learning model for post-processing of hydroacoustic data, developed collaboratively by FORCE, DeepSense, and the Offshore Energy Research Association. Identifies non-biological signals in acoustic data, increasing the efficiency and accuracy of acoustic processing.
• Ocean Sensor Innovation Platforms (OSIP) Autonomous floating platform for sea-surface environmental monitoring and submersible sensor systems deployed on the seafloor. Tests optical cameras, imaging sonars, and acoustic receivers in high-flow conditions to monitor fish-turbine interactions.
• FORCE Visitor Centre Public facility overlooking the Minas Passage test site, housing interpretive exhibits, interactive displays, a small theatre/community room, and meeting space. Open May 15 - October 15 with free admission; has welcomed over 30,000 visitors.
• Learning Portal and 3D test-site animation Online educational resource covering tidal energy, tides, and environmental monitoring. Includes an interactive 3D test-site animation and links to real-time sensor data displays at fundyforcelive.ca.
• fundyforcelive.ca live data portal Online portal publishing live sensor data (water temperature, air temperature, wind speed, and tide information) from the Parrsboro testing facility, with broader access through the Ocean Networks Canada collaboration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 7.5MW from authorized tidal array (3 O2-X turbines)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Acadia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral research partner for OSIP providing scientific leadership, experimental design, data analysis, and student training through the Acadia Tidal Energy Institute.
• The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaqcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting OSIP with Mi'kmaw Ecological Knowledge Study ensuring Indigenous perspectives inform monitoring priorities. CLC and EMAC include Mi'kmaw community representation.
• Ocean Tracking NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for OSIP project. OTN will loan acoustic tracking receivers and provide expert support in designing, deploying, and maintaining receiver arrays. Data stored and shared per FAIR principles.
• Orbital Marine PowermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScottish tidal turbine developer selected by Eauclaire Tidal for deployment at FORCE. Operating world's most powerful tidal turbine (2MW O2). Provides input on study design and technical considerations for monitoring.
• InnovaseamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides support and expertise with fish tracking and monitoring technology for OSIP project and environmental monitoring programs.
• Pacific Northwest National LaboratorysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvising on study design, sensor configuration and data interpretation for OSIP project.
• University of the Highlands and Islands - Environmental Research InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing expertise in sensor platform design, sensor selection, field deployments and data analysis for OSIP.
• Marine Renewables CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational trade association for wave, tidal, offshore wind and hydrokinetic energy. Aligns industry, academia and government to advance marine renewable energy sector.
• International WaTERSsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of open-sea test centres for wave and tidal energy. Founded by EMEC (world's first marine energy test site) in 2013. Promotes collaboration and knowledge transfer between test centres.
• Fishermen & Scientists Research SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partnership between fishermen and scientists promoting effective communication and collaborative research for marine fisheries sustainability. Supports FORCE lobster baseline studies.
• Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System AtlanticsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional association providing open-access platform for sharing ocean data. Partnership allows diverse audience to access FORCE data and supports site characterization and environmental monitoring.
• Dalhousie UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner with testing facilities at Dalhousie used for Vectron development.
• Cliffs of Fundy GeoparksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO Global Geopark designation covering Bay of Fundy region. FORCE is located within the geopark area. Partnership supports tourism and geological heritage awareness.
• Nortek ScientificmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian centre of excellence in acoustic Doppler processing. Partnering with FORCE on Vectron development - world first instrument to measure turbulence throughout water column.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Networks Canada: Ocean Networks Canada operates cabled ocean observatories that host FORCE's environmental monitoring data. Comparable as a long-term ocean data infrastructure provider supporting marine science and offshore energy research, though broader in scope across multiple marine disciplines.

Direct peers

• FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility: FloWave is a UK-based circular wave and tidal test basin offering controlled multi-directional testing. As a marine renewable energy testing facility with academic and developer clients, it is directly comparable to FORCE in mission, although it operates in a controlled basin rather than open-sea environment.
• European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC): EMEC is the world's first and largest marine energy test facility in Orkney, UK, offering grid-connected berths for wave and tidal developers. EMEC is FORCE's most direct peer as both operate permitted grid-connected test sites for marine renewable energy developers with environmental monitoring programs.
• SmartBay Marine and Renewable Energy Test Site: SmartBay is Ireland's national test and observation infrastructure for marine renewables and sensors. Comparable to FORCE as a grid-connected offshore test bed offering instrumentation, environmental monitoring, and developer data services in Atlantic waters.
• Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC): PMEC is a US-based consortium of open-water testing facilities for wave and tidal energy along the Pacific coast. Comparable to FORCE in coordinating test sites, environmental monitoring, and grid-connected berths for marine renewable energy developers.

Regional players

• BIMEP (Biscay Marine Energy Platform): BIMEP is a Spanish open-sea test site for wave and tidal energy devices in the Bay of Biscay. Comparable to FORCE as a grid-connected multi-berth marine energy test facility, though serving European developers rather than Canadian/North American OEMs.
• SEM-REV (France Energies Marines): SEM-REV is a French offshore test site for marine renewable energy operated by France Energies Marines. Comparable in mission to FORCE as a grid-connected test infrastructure for floating wind, wave, and tidal devices, though based in European waters.

Others

• International WaTERS Network: International WaTERS is a network of open-sea wave and tidal energy test centres founded by EMEC. FORCE is a member, making this network an ecosystem peer that connects FORCE to global marine energy testing standards, knowledge sharing, and developer pipelines.
• Offshore Energy Research Association (OERA): OERA is a Nova Scotia-based non-profit that funds and coordinates offshore energy research, including the Echofilter collaboration with FORCE. Comparable as a regional research funding and convening organization supporting marine renewable energy development in Atlantic Canada.
• Marine Renewables Canada: Marine Renewables Canada is the national trade association for the wave, tidal, offshore wind, and river current energy sector. Comparable as a sector convening body that aligns FORCE's mission with industry, government, and academic stakeholders in Canadian marine renewables.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fundyforce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy