All tide up: addressing the regulatory and environmental barriers affecting tidal energy development in British Columbia

The tides are turning in support of expanding and diversifying British Columbia's clean, energy grid in response to climate change, rapid population and industrial growth. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and increased droughts affect the province's hydroelectric-dependent grid, while a record population surge is driving electricity demand. With capacity needs projected to triple by 2050, the Province must diversify its clean energy portfolio. Tidal energy, a predictable and renewable form of marine renewable energy, offers an estimated 4 gigawatts (GW) of potential energy along British Columbia's coasts. Despite this significant potential energy and political interest, tidal energy deployment remains stalled. This thesis investigates the regulatory and environmental barriers that has tidal energy development in British Columbia all "tide up". Through literature reviews, QDAs, simulations and semi-structured interviews with experts, this thesis examines the regulatory processes, social acceptance, costs, and government incentives along with the environmental knowledge gaps surrounding tidal energy. These findings will inform a set of recommendations to sustainably advance tidal energy development in British Columbia.