Race Rocks Tidal Power Demonstration Project

The Race Rocks Tidal Power Demonstration Project (official name: Pearson College - EnCana - Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks) was a joint project of the Lester B. Pearson College, EnCana Corporation and Clean Current Power Systems Incorporated to use tidal power at Race Rocks near Victoria, British Columbia in Canada. The Race Rocks Tidal Current Generator was installed from July to September 2006 and it was planned to replace two diesel generators at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve. It was the first in-stream tidal current generator in North America.^[1][2][3]

Race Rocks Tidal Power Demonstration Project
The Race Rocks Tidal Current Generator before installation
Race Rocks Tidal Power Demonstration Project, Race Rocks near Victoria, British Columbia
Country	Canada
Location	Race Rocks near Victoria, British Columbia
Coordinates	48.299°N 123.531°W / 48.299; -123.531
Status	Decommissioned
Commission date	2006
Decommission date	September 17, 2011
Owners	a joint project of the Lester B. Pearson College, EnCana Corporation and Clean Current Power Systems Incorporated
Thermal power station
Primary fuel	Tidal

The water lubricated bearing system did not perform as expected, and the prototype was decommissioned in May 2007, so that the bearing system could be redesigned.^[4] After changes to the bearings, shroud and turbine, Clean Current Power Systems reinstalled the unit on October 17, 2008.^[5] On September 17, 2011, the project ended when the turbine/generator was removed permanently.^[6]

The 65 kW direct drive variable speed permanent magnet generator with bi-directional ducted horizontal axis turbine is placed at the depth of 19 metres (62 ft) to 22 metres (72 ft).^[7]