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OES-Environmental distributes metadata forms (questionnaires) to solicit information from developers involved in environmental monitoring around marine renewable energy project sites around the world. This page provides project descriptions, baseline assessment, post-installation monitoring, and links to available data and reports. Content is updated on an annual basis.

Yell Sound

Stingray tidal generator in Yell Sound

Contents

MRE Project Site

Title: Yell Sound
Status:
Operation Ended
Tech Developer:
The Engineering Business
Start Date:
End Date:
Info Last Updated:
Contact:
The Engineering Business
(login for email address)
Website:
External Link

Details

Device Name:
Stingray
Technology:
Marine Energy, Tidal
Technology Subtype:
Bottom-Mounted
Project Scale:
Single Device
Grid Connection:
Non Grid-Connected
Installed Capacity:
0.15 MW
Electrical Infrastructure:
Unburied Seafloor Cables
Country:
United Kingdom
Physical Site:
Open Coast
Water Depth:
100 m

Description

The Stingray tidal generator is a tidal stream turbine developed by The Engineering Business, a Newcastle based firm. Stingray uses the flow of the tidal stream over a hydroplane to create an oscillating motion that operates hydraulic cylinders to drive a motor that, in turn, drives an electrical generator. This device is a seabed-mounted machine, to be situated typically in any water depth up to 100m. It weighs some 180 tonnes and is capable of generating 150kw. The system was tested at Yell Sound off Shetland.

Location

Yell Sound, Shetlands, Scotland.

Licensing Information

For a commercial tidal stream development in Scotland, consents could be required under: The Electricity Act 1989 and Electricity Works (EIA) (Scotland) Regulations 2000– administered by the Energy Division of the Scottish Executive. However, this only applies to developments exceeding 1MW (s36) or involving overhead cables (s37) and does not, therefore, apply to the Yell Sound site. The Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985 - Part II - Deposits in the Sea (FEPA) – administered by Fisheries Research Services (FRS) division of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD). Section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949 (a CPA consent) - s.34 of the CPA applies to areas below high water mark of ordinary spring tides (HWMOST), which are not excluded from the definitions of sea and seashore detailed in Schedule 4 to the Act.

In the case of Yell Sound, the development would not fall within the excluded area, so a CPA consent would be required. In the case of the Yell Sound site, a works licence was also required from Shetland Islands Council, which has control over development in the coastal area around Shetland and is the harbour authority for the water around Sullom Voe. Although the offshore installation of the Stingray generator does not fall within the control of the normal land-based planning system, there was the possibility of associated land-based activities during the construction phase which required planning permission from Shetland Islands Council. A seabed lease for the Stingray generator and cable route was also required from the Crown Estate.

Project Progress

The programme started in 1997 with the Active Water Column Generator (AWCG), which subsequently developed into the Stingray concept. A technical and commercial feasibility study (Phase 1) in 2001 led to Phase 2 – the design, build, installation and operation of the Stingray demonstrator in Yell Sound in 2002. Phase 2 was extended into 2003 to consider various aspects of the technology in more detail.

Key Environmental Issues

Part of Yell Sound is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), due to high numbers of Otters; Seal populations at Yell Sound around 2% of the total population in the UK. The low-lying peaty coastlines provide easy access to fresh water, extensive algal beds in the marine environment and large numbers of otter holts. There are Horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) beds both within Sullom Voe and on the Mainland coast near Colla Firth. Ceteceans are regularly sited in the inner sound, especially Harbour Porpoise, Minke Whale and Killer Whale and there are a wide variety of breeding seabirds, divers and ducks including Eider.

Environmental webpage: http://www.engb.com/hse_environment.php

Papers, Reports, Research Studies

DTI. (2005). Stingray Tidal Steam Energy Device. Phase 3.

Environmental Monitoring: Yell Sound

ID Phase Stressor & Receptor Design and Methods Results
26830 Baseline Changes in Flow

Physical Environment, Sediment Transport 		Construction effects on sedimentation.
Based on Scoping reports and consultee responses. 		Completed
Only localised disturbance due to placement of Stingray, effects minimal due to high energy environment.
26825 Baseline Marine Mammals Construction effects on Otter species.
Based on Scoping reports and consultee responses. 		Completed
Potential for disturbance of otter holts in littoral zone of Yell, and potential disturbance to foraging otters during installation of cable. Survey should take place prior to installation to avoid impacts occurring.
26826 Baseline Noise

Marine Mammals 		Noise effects on marine mammals.
Based on Scoping reports and consultee responses. 		Completed
Studies have shown that mammals will avoid areas of excessive noise, and become habituated to constant regular noise. Barge generator noise reduced through use of acoustic hoods.
26827 Baseline Birds, Seabirds Construction effects on breeding seabirds.
Based on Scoping reports and consultee responses. 		Completed
Coast of Yell contains many breeding seabird colonies. Potential for disturbance is reduced due to distance of unit and barge offshore. No large colonies recorded in area therefore probability of disturbance during shore installation works is low. However, nests and young are protected and therefore checks should take place prior to installation to avoid impacts occurring.
26828 Baseline Habitat Change

Invertebrates 		Construction effects on sublittoral (seabed) benthos.
Based on Scoping reports and consultee responses. 		Completed
Loss of benthic community due to footprint of gravity base but area of habitat removed insignificant. Area relatively species poor due to high tide energy, and no species of conservation concern will be lost. Effects reversible once Stingray removed. Recovery expected within few months.
26829 Baseline Habitat Change

Invertebrates 		Construction effects on sublittoral (seabed) benthos.
Based on Scoping reports and consultee responses. 		Completed
Loss of benthic community due to footprint of gravity base but area of habitat removed insignificant. Area relatively species poor due to high tide energy, and no species of conservation concern will be lost. Effects reversible once Stingray removed. Recovery expected within few months.
26831 Post-Installation Monitoring Avoidance

Marine Mammals 		Effects on species of conservation concern - common seal – During operation.
Based on Scoping reports and consultee responses. 		Completed
Potential to disturb pupping common seal if present on Yell shore during maintenance works in September if requiring shore works to cable. Checks should take place prior to installation.
26832 Post-Installation Monitoring Avoidance

Marine Mammals 		Effects on protected species - otter – During Operation.
Based on Scoping reports and consultee responses. 		Completed
Potential disturbance to otters if maintenance activities require repositioning of cable. Survey prior to installation should identify any holts in the vicinity and positioning will take this into account.
26833 Post-Installation Monitoring Collision

Birds, Seabirds 		Effects on diving seabirds – During operation.
Based on Scoping reports and consultee responses. 		Completed
Depth of unit will be below diving depth of most birds. Potential risk to some deep diving specie such as gannet, but given size of Stingray not considered to be significant issue.
26834 Post-Installation Monitoring Habitat Change

Invertebrates 		Effects on sublittoral (seabed) benthos during operation.
Based on Scoping reports and consultee responses. 		Completed
Possible further loss of benthic community due to maintenance works requiring lifting and repositioning of unit. However, area of habitat removed insignificant and no species of conservation concern will be lost. Effects reversible once Stingray removed. Recovery expected within few months.