In addition to worldwide interest, recent initiatives by North
American entities have also seen a greater momentum [1–4].
Resource and technology assessment by EPRI in US [5], BC Hydro/
Triton [6] and NRC in Canada [7] have given newer perspectives
of North America’s tidal current energy potential. While a
number of projects are being actively pursued, notable progress
has been made in Bay-of-Fundy (Nova Scotia) and in Puget Sound
(Washington) [8,9]. Recently (2003–2007), preliminary investigations
on the use of hydrokinetic technologies for in-land water
resources have been conducted by organization such as, US Department
of Energy [10], EPRI [11], Idaho National Laboratory [12], and
National Hydropower Association [13]. In response to interests
from a number of project developers, US Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) has stated this technology as of tremendous
potential [14]. Also, the US congress has endorsed the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (the ‘‘EISAct” [15]) bringing further
encouragement to the development of this technology. At the
same time various projects and proposals are in place within a
number of jurisdictions in North America ([16–20]).