Tidal Site Projects
As you will see from our site description section (Tidal
Environment), the main environmental sensitivities at the test site are the marine mammals and diving seabirds. The potential for impact therefore needs to be adequately addressed by developers in any application for specific device deployment licences. To aid this process EMEC has sourced funding to proceed with the following projects:
1. Wildlife Displacement: Observations Programme
The purpose of the wildlife observations monitoring project is to provide an overall picture of whether or not a change or displacement has occurred in the resident wildlife due to the presence and operation of marine energy devices. This was acknowledged to be a key environmental aspect to monitor during the start up of the tidal test site project and Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) generously agreed to cover the cost of initial wildlife monitoring for one year at the tidal site. The methodology, timing of observations and data analysis has been overseen by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) - the expert stakeholder group in this area.
The data for the first two year's observations from July 2005 onwards has been analysed to produce annual reports which have proved to be invaluable in progressing deployments with the regulators. EMEC has produced a summary
poster which can be downloaded here. An additional key output will be the production of a suitable methodology (generated in collaboration with SMRU), which could act as a guideline for future marine renewable developments. This project is planned to continue until it is deemed to have provided sufficient scientific data to enable a more objective assessment of the risk to be made by the appropriate bodies. In the meantime, EMEC is funding the ongoing observations and analysis.
2. Sub-Surface Interactions: Sonar System
The possibility of damage to wildlife through physical collision with wave or tidal devices is an issue of some concern across environmental stakeholders. Studies relating to physical collision / damage to wildlife are likely to be informed by visual monitoring. With limitations on video coverage, due to both turbidity and natural light constraints, EMEC together with SMRU are taking forward this project (funded by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR)) using sonar to investigate possible collision damage.
There are several companies who manufacture sonar scanners, and there has
been an initial investigation of the potential for the use of this kind
of device, carried out by the SMRU, conducted by a tidal developer. This
investigation concluded that whilst there is potential to be very useful,
the manufacturers would all need to make some refinements to suit the marine
energy industries. If appropriate refinements were made, there is clear
potential to glean useful information from such equipment, and EMEC hopes
to be involved in initial testing using the improved equipment. This method
should also provide additional information about the interaction of a device
with any object suspended in the flow, as well as the essential data relating
to interactions with the main site sensitivities.
3. Tidal Rapid Seabed Ecology: ROV analysis
EMEC has accumulated a significant catalogue of ROV/photographic footage
relating to the seabed environment at the Fall of Warness and Billia Croo.
This data has been used to provide instant visual confirmation of seabed
conditions. As development pressures increase, a more detailed definition
of the seabed communities present and monitoring of effects on the benthic
ecology is required. This project (funded by the DBERR) will utilise the
large catalogue of EMEC data to interpret the seabed surveys and so address
the need for information on this environment. This project will also contribute
to the development of suitable surveying guidelines.
4. Acoustic Output from Devices: Acoustic Characterisation and Monitoring
Potential effects on some wildlife species may arise from acoustic emissions
of devices. Possible targets for such effects include sea mammals, some fish
species and possibly diving birds. The acquisition of base data which describes
the background acoustic characteristics of the tidal test at the Fall of
Warness is therefore necessary. Recognising the importance of this, HIE has
supported the development of a methodology for the collection of acoustic
baseline data, which will form the basis of crucial long term monitoring.
The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is currently developing
the equipment and a suitable methodology. EMEC will then inherit the methodology
and equipment, and be able to train and hire local contractors to continue
data collection around deployed devices. Bringing this ongoing survey work
into the local area will therefore provide a boost both to the local economy,
and grow the existing resources and expertise already available in Orkney.
5. Energy Extraction by Tidal Devices
This is one of the key concerns associated with the whole tidal energy industry. A large amount of modelling work has already been completed, for example under the SuperGen Marine project. EMEC has an important part to play in the ground-truthing of these models by utilising the data collected using acoustic current doppler profilers. EMEC has provided selections of our data to a number of institutions for a variety of projects.