Tethys Stories feature information on news, events, research, and projects relevant to wind and marine renewable energy development activities across the globe. Stories are contributed from individuals working in the field, and provide insight into advancing the energy industry in an environmentally responsible manner. If you are interested in providing content to be featured as a Tethys Story, please email tethys@pnnl.gov.
- As the marine renewable energy (MRE) industry advances and devices are deployed, there is a need to understand potential environmental effect of introducing structures to marine waters and potentially attracting marine organisms. These structures may act as artificial reefs, underwater human-made structures that function similar to a natural reef, and can include oil and gas platforms, sunken… Read More
- At the University of Rhode Island in the United States, a study of electromagnetic field (EMF) impacts on elasmobranchs and lobsters is currently being conducted. The contract is led by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the study aims to assess impacts of direct current (DC) cables on marine organisms. The study was prompted by the potential for the “Atlantic Wind Connection” venture, a… Read More
- The Province of Nova Scotia has set an ambitious renewable energy production target of 40% by 2020. One of the mechanisms to achieve this goal, initiated by the Province, was the creation of the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) tidal turbine test facility in the Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy. The first of two commercial-scale tidal turbines (16 m diameter Open Hydro turbines)… Read More
- Adaptive management (AM) is a learning-based management approach that is used to reduce scientific uncertainty. AM has been identified as a tool to advance the wind energy industry, although its application in practice has been limited. AM has primarily been actively implemented in the United States, while other nations have applied some of the principles of AM. Many wind energy projects use the… Read More
- One of the key features of renewable energy generation is its benefit to the environment through developing low carbon power sources, so it’s important to develop new types of renewable energy in environmentally responsible ways. Collecting and analyzing environmental data necessary for marine energy projects is difficult – the areas of interest are highly energetic, with (typically) little… Read More
- Wind energy developers face challenges to gain public acceptance and necessary permits because of potential impacts on wildlife, especially birds and bats. As a result, developers may be required to monitor projects for the presence and abundance of both diurnal and nocturnal species, collect data on bird or bat collisions with turbines, and implement mitigation strategies that reduce fatalities… Read More
- Annex IV and ORJIP-Ocean Energy has signed an agreement that will enhance collaboration and data sharing to understand and reduce uncertainty about potential environmental effects of MRE development. Both organizations address issues that are challenging to the siting and permitting/consenting of wave and tidal projects. Annex IV and ORJIP Ocean Energy plan to jointly develop and share strategic… Read More
- As tidal energy development ramps up in Europe and North America, questions have been raised about the potential for turbine blades to strike marine mammals, fish, and other marine organisms. Less attention has been paid to potential threats to smaller planktonic organisms such as the larvae of fish, lobster, and the zooplankton that spend their lives floating in moving ocean water. A small… Read More
- The power of the tides can be harnessed either by placing turbines in the tidal stream or by taking advantage of the tidal range. The height difference between the high and low tides can be captured by the placement of a tidal barrage – effectively a dam like those used in rivers – across the mouth of an estuary or bay. Alternatively, the tidal range can be captured within a lagoon by building… Read More
- Most people who spend time around the marine environment know that many species of fish are attracted to structures and hard surfaces in the ocean. Imagine tropical fish flocking to coral reefs, salmon hiding out under piers, and fish attracted to navigation buoys. The question has been posed as to whether fish will be attracted to marine energy devices placed in the ocean as well. And if they… Read More
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