NNMREC November 4, 2010 Boundaries: Benthic and Coastal Environments Renewable Ocean Energy and the Marine Environment Environmental Effects of Tidal Energy Outcomes of a Scientific Workshop Brian Polagye University of Washington Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center

NNMREC Environmental Effects Workshop Structure Results Recommendations

NNMREC Typical Sites and Devices 2-4 m/s m Foundation Drive Train Rotor 5-20 m rpm Gearbox-Generator Direct Drive Generator Pile Gravity Base

NNMREC Environmental Stressors Device presence: Dynamic effects Device presence: Static effects Electromagnetic effects Acoustic effects Chemical effects Energy removal Cumulative Effects

NNMREC Environmental Receptors Near-field environment Far-field environment Ecosystem Interactions Benthic habitat Pelagic habitat Marine mammals Fish (migratory and resident) Seabirds Invertebrates

NNMREC Environmental Effects Workshop Structure Results Recommendations

NNMREC Need for Workshop Major interest in developing hydrokinetic energy in the U.S. Environmental compatibility of technology stated without proof. Environmental uncertainties present a major barrier to projects getting in the water at any scale.

NNMREC Session Chairs Discussion 4 hours Receptors 2.5 hours Stressors 1.5 hours Wrap Up 1.5 hours Plenary Sessions 4 hours Stressors 2.5 hours Workshop Structure March 23 March 24 March 25 Participant Feedback: Another day would have been useful

NNMREC Geographic Scope Coastal Maine Puget Sound Southeast Alaska Cook Inlet Aleutian Islands

NNMREC Workshop Participants US West Coast (CA, OR, WA, AK) US East Coast Europe Canada Universities Agencies/NGOs Research Labs Industry Specific technical or scientific expertise Representative distribution of affiliation Interest greatly exceeded capacity

NNMREC Environmental Effects Workshop Structure Results Recommendations

NNMREC Physical Environment: Near-field Physical Environment: Far-field Habitat & Invertebrates Fish: Migratory Structure below water surface Structure above water surface Disturbance from installation of device Disturbance from installation of power cables Presence of Devices – Static Effects Color denotes significance Low Medium High Unknown Not Applicable ? Low Medium High Unknown Symbol denotes uncertainty

NNMREC Presence of Devices – Static Effects Physical Environment: Near-field Physical Environment: Far-field Habitat & Invertebrates Fish: Migratory Structure below water surface Structure above water surface Disturbance from installation of device Disturbance from installation of power cables Pilot Scale

NNMREC Presence of Devices – Static Effects Physical Environment: Near-field Physical Environment: Far-field Habitat & Invertebrates Fish: Migratory Structure below water surface Structure above water surface Disturbance from installation of device Disturbance from installation of power cables Commercial Scale

NNMREC Identification of Priority Interactions Selection Criteria High potential significance High uncertainty Summarize Key Information Description Gaps in Understanding Monitoring Approaches Mitigation Measures (stressor only)

NNMREC Environmental Effects Workshop Structure Results Recommendations

NNMREC Pilot Projects are Required Recognized need by participants of all affiliation Must be well-monitored Prioritize objectives Use common protocols Courtesy of Marine Current Turbines

NNMREC Pilot Study Prioritization Example Device presence: Static effects Device presence: Dynamic effects Chemical effects Acoustic effects Electromagnetic effects Energy removal Cumulative effects Physical environment: Near-field Physical environment: Far-field Habitat Invertebrates Fish: Migratory Fish: Resident Marine mammals Seabirds Ecosystem interactions Device presence: Static effects Device presence: Dynamic effects Chemical effects Acoustic effects Electromagnetic effects Energy removal Cumulative effects Physical environment: Near-field Physical environment: Far-field Habitat Invertebrates Fish: Migratory Fish: Resident Marine mammals Seabirds Ecosystem interactions

NNMREC Mitigate Impacts when Possible StressorPriority AreaRecommended Mitigation Presence of devices: static effects Effects of static structure on benthic ecosystems Minimize anchor sizes. Minimize number of moorings and slack lines. Streamline support structures. Presence of devices: dynamic effects Potential for direct interactions of marine species with turbine rotor Increase visibility of rotors to fish. Acoustic avoidance measures. Shock absorbers on leading edges of blades. Temporary device shutdown. Electromagnetic effects Behavioral disruption from electric and magnetic fields Bury power cables. Twist cores for AC cables. Run DC cables of opposing polarity in close proximity. Cumulative effects Effects on large, mobile species Limit number of devices at a given location until effects of operation are sufficiently understood.

NNMREC Collaboration is Essential Information needs to be shared between projects IEA-OES Annex IV Significant intellectual property concerns Hydrokinetic industry needs to engage with the oceanographic community Leverage active areas of research Expand opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration

NNMREC Workshop Report Will be published as NOAA Tech Memo Draft currently out for review Details of breakout sections Challenges indentified Recommendations

NNMREC Acknowledgements Workshop organizing committee Andrea Copping, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Keith Kirkendall, NOAA Fisheries George Boehlert, Oregon State University Michelle Wainstein, University of Washington Sue Walker, NOAA Fisheries Brie Van Cleve, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Workshop sponsors NOAA Fisheries US Department of Energy Workshop participants, particularly session chairs and note takers