Abstract
As the tidal energy industry reaches commercial status in parts of Europe and pre-commercial status in North America, more environmental data are being collected, and research studies continue to address the most difficult questions around risks to marine life and environment. Collision risk of fish and marine mammals, as well as diving seabirds and sea turtles, remain the most challenging tidal turbine interactions and the focus of extensive studies in many parts of the world. At the same time, questions around animal disturbance from acoustic output of turbine or electromagnetic fields from power export cables, as well as alterations of benthic and pelagic habitats need to be addressed to achieve regulatory permission to deploy and operate tidal farms. In addition, as marine energy projects scale up to large arrays, interactions like displacement of marine animals or entanglement in mooring lines will need to be investigated.
Working with 15 other nations, Ocean Energy Systems-Environmental has developed tools and frameworks to assist in organizing and applying data and information on potential risks from tidal turbines to permitting, mitigation, and licensing. Tools have been developed that organize data to match regulatory needs including risk retirement, data transferability, management measures, and guidance documents. This paper will discuss the application of these tools and frameworks.