Site Data

It is intended to measure tidal power generation by comparing the real-time power generated against the tidal flow. Seabed mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) are used to acquire water level, current and wave data for the Fall of Warness test site. The instruments measure the velocity and direction of current at high vertical resolution and high frequency sampling.

As well as the hydrodynamic conditions, weather data will be gathered from an onshore meteorological station on Eday. Also the measurement of electrical power supplied to the grid via the substation allows the assessment of the performance of each device.

Below is a sample output from an ADCP survey carried out at the Fall of Warness showing a 12 hour tidal cycle. This type of data is typically used by a developer to help them design their device to the precise operating conditions at the test site.

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EMEC recently produced a paper at the 7th European Wave and Tidal Energy conference (Copyright) which analysed the results from a high frequency ADCP survey undertaken at the tidal test site:

Norris, J. and Droniou, E. (2007). "Update on EMEC activities, resource description, and characterisation of wave-induced velocities in a tidal flow." Proc EWTEC 2007.