Site Wide Projects
This page looks at the research projects which EMEC are involved with that apply to the range of facilities here:
1. Hydrodynamic Modelling
EMEC has commissioned DHI to construct a numerical model of the Orkney Islands using the flexible version of MIKE 21 Flow Model FM. This will provide developers with detailed information on the water level, currents and waves at specific locations within the wave and tidal test sites. This model permits spatial varying resolution, so that the complex tidal channels and local topographic features that may influence the hydrodynamics can be sufficiently resolved. The calibrated model will be available for use by developers coming to test at EMEC.
Using the model, the simulated tidal flow pattern at Fall of Warness can be seen in the animation below.
The flow structure in Fall of Warness is further illustrated in the figure below, where the flow vectors are superimposed upon the current speed magnitude. The position of the eddy and the gradient in the current field is related to the local water depth and to the flow separation at Warness point.
A fully spectral model of the Orkney Islands is also being built using MIKE 21 Spectral Waves FM with special focus on the wave conditions at Billia Croo and at Fall of Warness. Using ADCP measurements at Fall of Warness this has highlighted the effects from the strong tidal stream on the wind-sea and swell wave climate due to wave-current interaction processes. This has been illustrated in the animation below.
Following the completion of the model it will be used to calculate the 20 year wave climate at both test sites for developers to use in device design.
2. Acoustic Doppler Current Deployment (ADCP) Methodology
nPower has funded this project to formalise the methodology developed by EMEC for the deployment and retrieval of ADCPs. This is essential to the tidal and wave energy industries, both for site selection, and resource assessment, which is necessary in the evaluation of a device's performance. The method has been developed by EMEC operations staff who have been tasked with the collection of tidal current data necessary for EMEC's work and that of its clients. The funding from nPower Juice for the course development will enable staff at Orkney College to dedicate the necessary resource to the production of a specific 5-day training course aimed at delivering the 'EMEC' method of ADCP deployment and retrieval in strong tidal currents. The course will have both theoretical and practical elements, including the actual deployment and subsequent retrieval of an ADCP. Course development will include detailed consultation with EMEC and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), to ensure compliance will all safe practice guidelines.
3. EQUIMAR
The EquiMar project is funded by the European Commission as part of its 7th Framework programme under the Energy topic (see the Cordis FP7 homepage for more information). It is a collaborative research and development project involving a consortium of 23 partners and will run for three years.
The aim of EquiMar is to deliver a suite of protocols for the equitable evaluation of marine energy converters (based on either tidal or wave energy). These protocols will harmonise testing and evaluation procedures across the wide variety of devices presently available with the aim of accelerating adoption though technology matching and improved understanding of the environmental and economic impacts associated with the deployment of arrays of devices. EMEC will specifically be involved within the work packages looking at:
- Physical Environmental Specification
- Environmental Impact Assessment
Outputs from the EquiMar project will establish a sound base for future international marine energy standards. EMEC will play an active role in the amalgamation of this work with relevant standards work being undertaken in the UK.