Wave Energy Acoustic Monitoring (WEAM)

Whilst noise generation by single Wave Energy Devices (WED) is expected to be small at an initial phase, the presence of a large number of converters in the same area (wave energy farm) working in an almost continuous way may cause eventually some environmental impact. Until the date of project submission there were no acoustic environment impact studies based on real data and no experience on how such acoustic monitoring must be done.

WEAM project aimed to study and develop a monitoring plan for underwater noise, as well as trying to predict and assess the impact of underwater noise from wave energy devices can have on marine wildlife.

The development of a validated monitoring system, the characterization of the Oscillating Water column of Pico and the set-up of an acoustic monitoring plan were the expected results of the project. The results are expected to guide the development of a more environmental friendly technology and to clarify limits for the number and density of wave energy devices in a wave farm.