Status
Principle Investigator Contact Information
Name: Laurent Richier
Address: Technopole Brest Iroise Site du Vernis - 300 rue Pierre Rivoalon, 29200 Brest - France
Phone: +33 (0)2 98 05 43 21
Email: laurent.richier@altran.com
Description
A methodology called SIRAEO has been developed by Altran Ouest and Maree to assess the impact on marine environment of offshore renewable energy projects. This basically includes site description, in-situ measurements of noise, numerical simulation of noise propagation and environmental impact assessment.
This methodology has been applied to the Paimpol-Brehat tidal test site (in-situ measurements), to the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm (complete approach), and to different zones of the French call for tenders for offshore wind farms.
Funding Source
Mainly internal R&D investment + some contracts for private companies
Location of Research
The French Atlantic coasts
Project Aims
Set up and experience a methodology for developing underwater acoustical impact studies
Key Findings
Ambient and Turbine Noise:
Good quality noise measurements are very delicate to obtain. Specific instrumentations/procedures are necessary and extra care must be taken in the post processing of the data and characterization of the different phenomena recorded. It is recommended to perform measurements on a long period to characterize ambient noise properly and at different locations to determine the turbine signature properly.
Numerical Simulation
The site characteristics play a major role in such shallow water environments. The generic spherical/cylindrical laws can’t be applied anymore in these contexts as significant differences could appear depending on e.g. bottom characteristics or water depth.
Marine mammal Sensibility:
Different methodologies have been proposed to assess impacts but none seems to have the approval of the entire scientific community. Thus, the most conservative approach has most of the time been considered.