University of Washington, Mechanical Engineering NW National Marine Renewable Energy Center depts.washington.edu/nnmrec Site Characterization of Admiralty Inlet August 26, 2009 Brian Polagye University of Washington, Mechanical Engineering

NNMREC Overview Partnership between Oregon State University (Wave Energy) and University of Washington (Tidal Energy) Funded by US Department of Energy, Oregon, Washington, and industry partners Tidal energy research focused on four areas: Site and device characterization Device and array optimization Environmental effects Materials to improve survivability and reliability

NNMREC Mission “Facilitate responsible device commercialization, inform regulatory and policy decisions, and close key gaps in understanding.” Developing generally applicable tools and methodologies For site and device characterization, using Snohomish PUD project as a test case for these tools and methodologies

Site and Device Characterization J. Thomson (UW-APL) & B. Polagye (UW-ME) R/V Jack Robertson Field measurements (surveys + stationary) to inform: Site developers: resource and site characteristics Device developers: device performance Regulators: near-field effects 010,04-23-09,TID

Stationary Measurements via “Sea Spider” CTDO (conductivity, temperature, depth, dissolved oxygen – partnership with WA Dept of Ecology) Acoustic release (redundant recovery) ADCP (Acoustic Doppler current profiler) VEMCO recorder (tagged fish species – partnership with NMFS) Hydrophone (background noise) T-POD recorder (porpoise clicks) Programmed for 3 month deployments Lead Weight (600 lbs)

Stationary Measurement of Tidal Currents Power generation generally requires > 1 m/s 012,04-23-09,TID

Shipboard Survey of Tidal Currents

Shipboard Survey of Water Quality In-situ measurements show slight halocline and thermocline (for this cast) Lab results indicate low turbidity (for this season) (WHO drinking water guidelines: < 1 NTU) 003,04-22-09,TID

Shipboard Survey of Fish Abundance BioSonics echosounder (Center partner) Significant cross-talk between echosounder, ADCP, and depth finder Fish School? Large Cobbles Seabed return 006,04-22-09,TID

Shipboard Survey of Underwater Noise 004,04-22-09,TID

ROV Survey (video) of Seabed Scoured seabed Relatively flat Cobbles and gravel Sponges Barnacles Consistent with high currents and grab samples 005,04-22-09,TID