Press Release: H2020 CEFOW Year 1 Ecological Studies Complete
Plymouth and Exeter universities have completed the first set of ecological studies as part of the EU Horizon 2020 funded CEFOW (Clean Energy from Ocean Waves) project.
The research was carried out at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC)’s grid-connected wave energy test site where Wello Oy’s Penguin wave energy converter has been operating since installation in March 2017.
As part of the CEFOW project, the ecological surveys will take place over three consecutive summers to investigate the cumulative impact of multiple wave energy converters (WECs) on the seabed habitat and associated ecosystem.
Monitoring involves the use of non-destructive towed underwater video systems (TUVS) and baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) to analyse species and habitats on and around the seabed, close to the Penguin device, as well as at control sites to the north and south of the WEC.
The multi-year dataset will assist with understanding the degree of natural spatial and temporal variation of marine organisms at EMEC’s test site. The studies will also provide information to marine energy stakeholders of any positive and negative effects so that they can be optimised and/or mitigated as wave energy technologies develop.
Initial observations indicate the presence of a variety of species, including cod, plaice and octopus, and both sand and rock habitat types. No conclusions regarding the impact of the devices can be made until the end of the project once all data has been collected, analysed and a robust, comparative study can be completed.
Emma Sheehan, University of Plymouth University said:
“The data analysis will take place continuously throughout the course of the CEFOW project, with further ecological studies taken place throughout the summer months of 2018/19, following deployment of the second and third WEC’s due to be deployed as part of the CEFOW wave energy array.
“As wave energy is still in the R&D phase of development, it is important to monitor the impact of wave energy converter on the local ecosystem including the abundance of commercially important fish; habitat building biogenic reef species, and water filtering shellfish. By conducting the studies over multiple years, we can build up a robust picture of the test site, and any impact that wave energy deployments may have.”
About CEFOW
Clean Energy from Ocean Waves (CEFOW) is a European Commission research and innovation programme Horizon 2020 funded research project coordinated by Fortum.
The mission of the five-year project is to research and develop the use of the Penguin wave energy converter, developed by the Finnish company Wello, in electrical-grid-connected ocean conditions. The multi-device test project will be carried out at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).
In the project, Finnish wave power technology is being developed and operated in collaboration with British and Swedish experts. The EU has granted EUR 17 million of the project’s total budget of EUR 24.5 million. In addition to Fortum, the joint project consists of Wello Ltd, Green Marine (UK) Ltd, Uppsala University, Plymouth University, the University of Exeter and EMEC.
www.cefow.eu
CEFOW Funding
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 655594.
