Accessing Management Measures that Support Deployment of Wave and Tidal Energy Devices
As the marine renewable energy (MRE) industry moves beyond deployment of individual wave and tidal energy devices towards arrays, certain risks of MRE devices on the marine environment are not well understood and have led to onerous monitoring requirements placed on device developers.
A workshop was held in May 2017 with researchers, regulators, and developers to create the basis for the tool shown below. In consultation with the research and regulatory communities, it was agreed that applying a set of robust management measures could act as safeguards for marine animals and habitats until available monitoring data allows for determining the level of risk from MRE devices. At that point, measures could be dialed back or removed, if warranted. More information on the workshop and input for the tool can be found here.
The Management Measures Tool for Marine Energy shows management (or mitigation) measures from past or current MRE projects as a reference to help manage potential risks from future projects and allow them to move forward in the face of uncertainty, or until a risk can be retired. Additional management measures are regularly added by the OES-Environmental team. In addition to the searchable tool below, the information can be downloaded here. The download file includes additional details not shown below, including comments from stakeholders on past experience, cost of management measures, and when a management measure is needed.
View the instructions document for more in-depth details and examples on how to use the Management Measure Tool for Marine Energy or check out this webinar for an overview and demonstration of the tool.
Last updated January 2023
| Technology | Project Phase | Stressor | Receptor | Management Measure | Implications of Measure | Advantages | Challenges | Project Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave, Tidal | Installation | Barrier to movement
Potential barrier to movement due to the physical presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures, cables and electrical equipment. |
Monitoring
Array installation carried out in phases. |
Allows close monitoring to observe any unexpected effects |
Allows close monitoring to observe any unexpected effects. |
GlaxoSmithKlineMontrose 2012, GSK Montrose Tidal Array | ||
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Collision risk
Potential for collision with turbine blades. |
Birds
Diving birds |
Mitigation
Selective structural and blade coatings (e.g., colors to aide detection. |
Unknown - it is possible that this will aid detection of subsea structures and help reduce risk at a low cost. Lack of understanding and further research needed, it may be that certain colours could result in attraction resulting in an increase in collision risk. |
Unknown - it is possible that this will aid detection of subsea structures and help reduce risk. |
Uncertainty around how animals use visual cues, could. Could result in 'attraction', increasing risk of collision. Use of such measures may be limited to conform with IALA standards. |
Xodus Group 2019, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in lost fishing gear or other equipment trapped on infrastructure. |
Birds
Diving birds |
Compliance
Ensure standard notifications of loss of fishing gear in region notified to operators. Reporting of entanglement events. |
Good practice for emergency preparedness. |
Good practice for emergency preparedness. Help track effects/interaction with marine animals. |
Chances of lost fishing gear being reported is reportedly low. |
|
| Wave, Tidal | Installation | Marine Non-Native Species (MNNS)
Potential for introduction of MNNS which can have an adverse impact on the native species at the site. |
Design feature
Avoid the introduction of hard bottom substrate into a soft bottom habitat. |
Ensures the efficient recovery of species native to the surrounding habitat. May have technical implications. |
Ensures the efficient recovery of species native to the surrounding habitat. |
May have technical implications. |
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| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Changes in sediment dynamics
Reduced visibility impacting prey detection and obstruction avoidance. |
Monitoring
Modelling to predict the interaction between changes in sediment dynamics and animals. |
Reduces scientific uncertainty so appropriate management measures can be employed. |
Limited management measures available to minimise interaction despite modelling to fully predict interaction. |
MeyGen 2012, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project - Phase I | ||
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Collision risk
Pontential risk of collision with device giving size and character of structure. |
Design feature
Device components (e.g., transformer and power conditioning equipment) are designed internally. |
Reduces potential for collision with external moving parts |
Reduces potential for collision with external moving parts. |
The Marine Institute 2016, Galway Bay Test Site | ||
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | EMF
Impacts of electromagnetic fields from landfall cables on sensitive species. |
Fish
Demersal fish |
Design feature
Bury cables where possible and viable. |
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) 2011, Tidal Lagoon Power 2017, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS), Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (SBTL), PacWave South Test Site | |||
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in lost fishing gear or other equipment trapped on infrastructure. |
Fish
Elasmobranch, large fish |
Mitigation
Fisheries management: Agreement with fishermen not to fish near to the device, warning of the dangers of losing equipment. |
Reduces potential for entanglement of fishing gear in mooring lines and thus potential for entanglement of marine animals. |
Reduces potential for entanglement of fishing gear in mooring lines and thus potential for entanglement of marine animals. |
Xodus Group 2019, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site | |
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Marine Non-Native Species (MNNS)
Potential for introduction of MNNS which can have an adverse impact on the native species at the site. |
Mitigation, Design feature
Antifouling application on components such as the pile and rodos blades. |
To prevent colonization of the device and prevent the structure forming a stepping stone for non-native species. |
Helps prevent colonization of the device and structure, avoiding forming a stepping stone for non-native species. |
Royal Haskoning and Sea Generation (Kyle Rhea) Ltd. 2013, Kyle Rhea Tidal Stream Array Project | ||
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Changes in water flow
The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures. |
Monitoring
Installation of ADCPs and turbulence sensors to better understand the baseline tidal flow conditions and hence the change in tidal flow due to presence of the device(s). |
Reduce scientific uncertainty. |
Tidal Energy Ltd 2008, Aquatera 2017, Ramsey Sound, Tocardo InToTidal at EMEC | |||
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | EMF
Impacts of electromagnetic fields from subsea cables on sensitive species. |
Habitat
Benthic invertebrates |
Design feature
Install cable protection, armor, rock placement, or other cable protection. |
Reduces the level of EMF to surrounding water column and therefore any potential effects. Reduces 'snagging risk' for vessels and may create habitat for species. May have Habitat Creation implications ...Read moreReduces the level of EMF to surrounding water column and therefore any potential effects. Reduces 'snagging risk' for vessels and may create habitat for species. May have Habitat Creation implications Potential for adverse impacts on surrounding benthic habitats and sensitive species, e.g. from smothering. This measure forms part of normal project design. Read less |
Reduce the level of EMF to surrounding water column and therefore any potential effects. Reduces 'snagging risk' for vessels. Creation of artificial habitat leading to greater fecundity in species. |
May have an impact on surrounding benthic habitats and sensitive species. Creation of artificial habitat may cause aggregation effect causing greater impact of EMF. Uncertainty around the need for and efficacy of this measure. Increased cost to project. Reduced possibilities for decommissioning in future. Direct disturbance/loss of benthic communities. |
Foubister 2005, Orbital Marine Power 2010, MeyGen 2012, ScottishPower Renewables 2010, DP Energy Ltd. 2013, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project - Phase I, Sound of Islay Demonstration Tidal Array, West Islay Tidal Project Energy Park |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Marine Non-Native Species (MNNS)
Potential for introduction of MNNS which can have an adverse impact on the native species at the site. |
Mitigation, Compliance
Adhere to appropriate measures when jettisoning ballast water. |
Reduce/remove risk of transfer and settlement of non-native species. |
Reduce/remove risk of transfer of non-native species. |
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) 2011, Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) | ||
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Changes in water flow
The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures. |
Design feature
Site selection. |
Minimizes significance of interaction. |
ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array | |||
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Contamination
Potential for accidental or unplanned events which could lead to contamination of the marine environment. |
Mitigation
Material selection - lubricants, coolants, hydraulic fluids etc. - selected with low ecotoxicity levels and biodegradable. |
Reduces/removes risk of contamination from materials which may have escaped structure. However, use of lower toxicity may compromise performance, or impact other technical issues (e.g. fluid changes). |
Reduces/removes risk of contamination/pollution from materials which may have escaped structure. |
Use of lower toxicity materials may compromise performance, or impact other technical issues (e.g., fluid changes.) |
Foubister 2005, MeyGen 2012, Xodus AURORA 2010, The Marine Institute 2016, THETIS Energy 2009, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project - Phase I, Galway Bay Test Site, Torr Head Project | |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in lost fishing gear or other equipment trapped on infrastructure. |
Marine Mammals
Cetaceans |
Monitoring
Ensure standard notifications of loss of fishing gear in region notified to operators. Reporting of entanglement events. |
Good practice for emergency preparedness. |
Good practice for emergency preparedness. |
Chances of lost fishing gear being reported is reportedly low. |
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, PacWave South Test Site |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Underwater noise
The potential effects from underwater noise generated by wave and tidal energy converters. |
Monitoring
Measure noise generated by device(s) during operation to better understand the potential effects on sensitive species. |
Measured noise levels can be correlated with threshold values of relevant species to determine impact and need for adaptive management measures, however this can be complex and costly to undertake this type of monitoring in high energy environments. |
Measured noise levels can be correlated with threshold values of relevant species and baseline noise levels of the site to determine impact and need for adaptive management measures. |
Can be complex and costly to undertake this type of monitoring in high energy environments. Data and analysis have requirement for acoustic experts. |
SIMEC Atlantis Energy Ltd 2011, Aquamarine Power Ltd 2011, Orbital Marine Power 2014, Minesto 2016, Xodus AURORA 2010, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2019, ScottishPower Renewables 2010, Davison and Mallows 2005, McGrath 2013, Royal Haskoning 2012, Orbital Marine Power 2018, Atlantis Resources Corporation at EMEC, Oyster 800 at EMEC, Minesto Holyhead Deep - Non-grid connected DG500, HS1000 at EMEC, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, Sound of Islay Demonstration Tidal Array, Strangford Lough - MCT (SeaGen), Fair Head Tidal Array, Oyster 800 at EMEC | |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Decommissioning | Changes in sediment dynamics
Reduced visibility impacting prey detection and obstruction avoidance. |
Mitigation
Best practice methodologies to reduce resuspension of sediment during cable burial or device foundation/mooring installation. |
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| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in device mooring lines and cables. |
Reptiles
Sea turtles |
Design feature, Monitoring
Routine inspections of mooring lines. Implement features into existing control systems to detect entanglement events. |
Removes/reduces risk of entanglement and is a low cost monitoring capability. |
Remove/reduce risk of entanglement. Likely to be required as part of the technical monitoring of the device and therefore not an additional cost. |
Could be a costly measure for technology developers if not required as part of technical monitoring of device. |
|
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Changes in water flow
The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures. |
Benthic
Benthic invertebrates |
Monitoring
Pre and post installation monitoring of sensitive benthic communities, based on diver, drop down, static visual surveys (camera), or grab sampling. |
Would result in a reduction of scientific uncertainty, however interpretation of data for statistical purposes may not have power to detect change generated by impact. In addition it may require correlation with detailed Computational Fluid Dynamics studies and physical flow measurements. |
Reduce scientific uncertainty. |
Interpretation of data for statistical purposes may not have power to detect change generated by impact. May require correlation with detailed Computational Fluid Dynamics studies and physical flow measurements. |
SIMEC Atlantis Energy Ltd 2011, Tidal Energy Ltd 2008, Foubister 2005, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2011, ScottishPower Renewables 2010, Davison and Mallows 2005, Laminaria 2018, Royal Haskoning 2012, The Marine Institute 2016, Royal Haskoning 2019, Orbital Marine Power 2018, Aquamarine Power Ltd 2011, Atlantis Resources Corporation at EMEC, Ramsey Sound, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, EMEC Shapinsay Sound Scale Tidal Test Site, Sound of Islay Demonstration Tidal Array, Strangford Lough - MCT (SeaGen), EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, North West Lewis Wave Array, Galway Bay Test Site, Oyster 800 at EMEC |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | EMF
Impacts of electromagnetic fields from subsea cables on sensitive species. |
Benthic
Benthic invertebrates |
Design feature
Install cable protection, armor, rock placement, or other cable protection. |
Reduces the level of EMF to surrounding water column and therefore any potential effects. Reduces 'snagging risk' for vessels and may create habitat for species. May have Habitat Creation implications ...Read moreReduces the level of EMF to surrounding water column and therefore any potential effects. Reduces 'snagging risk' for vessels and may create habitat for species. May have Habitat Creation implications Potential for adverse impacts on surrounding benthic habitats and sensitive species, e.g. from smothering. This measure forms part of normal project design. Read less |
Reduce the level of EMF to surrounding water column and therefore any potential effects. Reduces 'snagging risk' for vessels. Creation of artificial habitat leading to greater fecundity in species. |
May have an impact on surrounding benthic habitats and sensitive species. Creation of artificial habitat may cause aggregation effect causing greater impact of EMF. Increased cost to project. Reduced possibilities for decommissioning. Direct disturbance/ loss of benthic communities. |
MeyGen 2012, Foubister 2005, McGrath 2013, DP Energy Ltd. 2017, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project - Phase I, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, Fair Head Tidal Array, Fair Head Tidal Array, PacWave South Test Site |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Decommissioning | Habitat Loss
Direct loss of protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed communities due to the presence of devices and associated moorings or support structures on the seabed. |
Benthic
Benthic invertebrates, demersal fish |
Design feature
Micrositing of offshore infrastructure to avoid sensitive habitats and minimise footprint. |
This could reduce/remove effects on sensitive habitats and can often be done with little additional costs. |
Could reduce/remove effects on sensitive habitats. Low cost measure at single device or small-scale array. |
Foubister 2005, Royal Haskoning and Sea Generation (Kyle Rhea) Ltd. 2013, RSK Group 2012, South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWDRA) 2006, Magallanes Renovables 2020, ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Laminaria 2018, The Marine Institute 2016, THETIS Energy 2009, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, Kyle Rhea Tidal Stream Array Project, Wave Hub, Magallanes Renovables ATIR at EMEC, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, Galway Bay Test Site, Torr Head Project | |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation | Barrier to movement
Potential barrier to movement due to the physical presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures, cables and electrical equipment. |
Design feature
Site selection to avoid sensitive routes/areas. |
Minimizes risk of development acting as a barrier to movement by avoiding migratory routes or other important sites. |
Argyll Tidal Limited 2013, OpenHydro and SSE Group 2013, ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Argyll Tidal Demonstrator Project, Brims Tidal Array, Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array | |||
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Collision risk
Potential for collision with turbine blades. |
Birds
Diving birds |
Mitigation
Implement a 'soft start' approach during cut-in. |
Could reduce risk by allowing animals time to move away from the turbine. Low cost option, adopted for other activities (e.g., piling) |
Unclear if this offers additional mitigation as many devices power up gradually anyway. |
Orbital Marine Power 2010, MeyGen 2012, South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWDRA) 2006, Tidal Lagoon Power 2017, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project - Phase I, Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (SBTL) | |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in device mooring lines and cables. |
Birds
Diving birds |
Monitoring, Design feature
Routine inspections of mooring lines. Implement features into existing control systems to detect entanglement events. |
Would remove/reduce risk of entanglement and is a low cost monitoring capability. |
Remove/reduce risk of entanglement. Likely to be required as part of the technical monitoring of the device and therefore not likely an additional cost. |
Potential cost of measure for technology developers if not required as part of technical monitoring of the device. |
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, PacWave South Test Site |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Marine Non-Native Species (MNNS)
Potential for introduction of MNNS which can have an adverse impact on the native species at the site. |
Monitoring
Monitoring and reporting of MNNS. |
Reduce/removes risk of transfer of non-native species. |
Reduce/removes risk of transfer of non-native species. |
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| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Changes in water flow
Modifications to tidal flows affect prey distribution and abundance resulting in changes to foraging behavior. |
Monitoring
Observational surveys (including remote sensing) of species (prey availability linked to benthic community). |
Reduces scientific uncertainty. |
Reduce scientific uncertainty. |
Statistical power of studies can be low. Can be difficult to distinguish between natural variation and direct effects of energy removal from the system. |
Foubister 2005, ScottishPower Renewables 2012, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array | |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Contamination
Potential for accidental or unplanned events which could lead to contamination of the marine environment. |
Design feature
Physical Ccontainment systems including bulk heads, closed circuit systems, pressure relief systems. |
Reduces risk of contamination escaping from structure. |
Reduces risk of contamination/pollution escaping from structure. |
Foubister 2005, MeyGen 2012, DP Energy Ltd. 2013, Royal Haskoning and Sea Generation (Kyle Rhea) Ltd. 2013, Magallanes Renovables 2020, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) 2011, The Marine Institute 2016, THETIS Energy 2009, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project - Phase I, West Islay Tidal Project Energy Park, Kyle Rhea Tidal Stream Array Project, Magallanes Renovables ATIR at EMEC, Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS), Galway Bay Test Site, Torr Head Project | ||
| Wave, Tidal | Installation | EMF
Impacts of electromagnetic fields from landfall cables on sensitive species. |
Fish
Demersal fish |
Design feature
Device components (e.g., transformer and power conditioning equipment) are designed internally. |
Reduces field effects external to the device |
Reduces field effects external to the device. |
DP Energy Ltd. 2013, Aquatera Ltd 2011, West Islay Tidal Project Energy Park, Wello Penguin at EMEC | |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in device mooring lines and cables. |
Fish
Elasmobranch, large fish |
Design feature
Minimise the number of mooring lines. |
Reduce risk of entanglement. |
Could be a costly measure for technology developers. |
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| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Decommissioning | Underwater noise
The potential effects from underwater noise generated during installation/ construction (excluding piling). |
Mitigation
Avoid/limit 'noisy works' within close proximity to sensitive sites i.e. known seal haul outs during sensitive periods, defining appropriate clearance distances where necessary. |
This could reduce potential effects on sensitive species during sensitive periods, but could increase project construction timescales and thus costs e.g. if continuous drilling time is restricted or specific periods need to be avoided. |
Could reduce potential effects on sensitive species during sensitive periods. |
Could increase project construction timescales (e.g., if continuous drilling time is restricted or specific periods need to be avoided). |
Aquatera Ltd 2011, Davison and Mallows 2005, ScottishPower Renewables 2012, McGrath 2013, Aquatera 2017, The Marine Institute 2016, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, THETIS Energy 2009, Wello Penguin at EMEC, Strangford Lough - MCT (SeaGen), Fair Head Tidal Array, Tocardo InToTidal at EMEC, Galway Bay Test Site, PacWave South Test Site, Torr Head Project | |
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Changes in water flow
The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures. |
Design feature
Design structures to minimise effect on turbulence structure. |
Minimizes change in turbulence structure and hence potential interaction. |
Can present financial, logistical, or design challenges to technology developer to alter design of device/moorings. |
Aquamarine Power Ltd 2011, Davison and Mallows 2005, Tidal Energy Ltd 2008, Oyster 800 at EMEC, Strangford Lough - MCT (SeaGen), Ramsey Sound | ||
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | EMF
Impacts of electromagnetic fields from subsea cables on sensitive species. |
Habitat
Benthic invertebrates |
Design feature
Use of 3-phase cables instead of DC cables. |
Reduces the level of EMF to surrounding water column and therefore any potential effects, however there are potential commercial and technical feasibility issues surrounding the specific project requirements as well as some disagreement as to the efficacy of this measure. |
Reduce the level of EMF to surrounding water column and therefore any potential effects. |
Potential commercial and technical feasibility issues. Uncertainty around the need for and efficacy of this measure. |
Tidal Energy Ltd 2008, Ramsey Sound |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Marine Non-Native Species (MNNS)
Potential for introduction of MNNS which can have an adverse impact on the native species at the site. |
Mitigation
Source vessels locally. |
Reduce/remove risk of transfer and settlement of non-native species. |
Reduce/remove risk of transfer and settlement of non-native species. |
Orbital Marine Power 2018, Mocean Wave Energy Converter: Blue Horizon | ||
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Changes in water flow
Modifications to prey distribution and abundance (to include for other receptors) resulting in changes to foraging behaviour. |
Design feature
Site selection. |
Minimizes significance of interaction. |
ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array | |||
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Contamination
Potential for accidental or unplanned events which could lead to contamination of the marine environment. |
Mitigation
Where rock placement is used, ensure clean rock is used. |
Reduces/removes risk of contamination from materials. |
Reduces/removes risk of contamination/pollution from materials |
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| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in device mooring lines and cables. |
Marine Mammals
Cetaceans |
Design feature, Monitoring
Routine inspections of mooring lines. Implement features into existing control systems to detect entanglement events. |
Removes/reduces risk of entanglement and is a low cost monitoring capability. |
Remove/reduce risk of entanglement. Likely to be required as part of the technical monitoring of the device and therefore not an additional cost. |
Could be a costly measure for technology developers if not required as part of technical monitoring of device. |
Argyll Tidal Limited 2013, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, Orbital Marine Power 2018, Argyll Tidal Demonstrator Project, PacWave South Test Site |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Underwater noise
The potential effects from underwater noise generated during installation/ construction (excluding piling). |
Mitigation
Limit vessel speed. |
Reduces potential effects. Relatively low-cost measure. |
SIMEC Atlantis Energy Ltd 2011, Atlantis Resources Corporation at EMEC | |||
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Decommissioning | Changes in sediment dynamics
Sediment disturbance disrupting water clarity that results in smothering of fish spawning grounds. |
Mitigation
Best practice methodologies to reduce resuspension of sediment during cable burial or device foundation/mooring installation. |
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| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in lost fishing gear or other equipment trapped on infrastructure. |
Reptiles
Sea turtles |
Mitigation
Fisheries management: Agreement with fishermen not to fish near to the device, warning of the dangers of losing equipment. |
Reduces potential for entanglement of fishing gear in mooring lines and thus potential for entanglement of sea turtles. |
Reduces potential for entanglement of fishing gear in mooring lines and thus potential for entanglement of sea turtles. |