Management Measures Testing

Accessing Management Measures that support Deployment of Wave and Tidal Devices

As the MRE industry moves beyond deployment of individual wave and tidal devices towards arrays, there continue to be onerous monitoring requirements placed on device developers. Certain risks of MRE devices on the marine environment are not sufficiently well resolved to allow smooth transitions towards a commercial industry. As an example, the potential collision of marine animals with single tidal turbines continues to create concern for stakeholders and regulators in many jurisdictions.

In consultation with the research and regulatory communities, it was determined that having a set of robust management measures might act as safeguards for marine animals and habitats until such time as definitive monitoring data become available to determine the level of risk from turbines and WECs. At that point, mitigation measures could be dialed back or removed, if warranted.

With the input of the researchers, regulators, and developers at a workshop held May 9th 2017 in Glasgow UK, the following criteria were used to develop the management measures tool shown here:

  • Ensure common understanding of parameters that describe management measures proposed for collision risk, EMF, noise, and benthic disturbance;
  • Evaluate each measure for effectiveness in addressing the risk for which it is intended;
  • Determine the feasibility and practicality of each measure;
  • Facilitate the development of a toolbox of management measures that can be made broadly available, as they are needed; and
  • Consider the use of the tool to guide initial discussions between project proponents and regulators.

The tool can be explored using the following steps:

Management Measures Tool for Marine Renewable Energy

Displaying 301 - 339 of 339 management measures
Technology Project Phase Stressor Receptor Management Measure Advantages Challenges Project Documents
Tidal Operation & Maintenance Collision risk

Potential for collision with turbine blades.

Fish
Monitoring

Environmental monitoring to detect collision events.

Understand avoidance behaviour, nature of interactions, and outcome of collision events.

Can be a high cost associated with this.

Unclear how much monitoring will be required to fully understand this risk.

Technology is not advanced enough yet to do this efficiently.

Data mortgage (data gathered more quickly than it can be analysed).

...Read more

Can be a high cost associated with this.

Unclear how much monitoring will be required to fully understand this risk.

Technology is not advanced enough yet to do this efficiently.

Data mortgage (data gathered more quickly than it can be analysed).

Power supply availability - hard-wired vs. battery; power is required for monitoring and power availability can present logistical, financial and technical challenges.

Interaction between equipment - e.g., multibeam sonar/ ADCP/echosounder; there can be interaction between monitoring equipment which can present challenges in monitoring.

Certain equipment used such as PAM may actually effect behaviour themselves.

Read less
SAE Renewables 2011, GlaxoSmithKlineMontrose 2012, Orbital Marine Power 2014, Atlantis Resources Corporation at EMEC, GSK Montrose Tidal Array
Wave, Tidal Operation & Maintenance EMF

Impacts of electromagnetic fields from landfall cables on sensitive species.

Fish
Demersal fish
Design feature

Limit cable voltage.

MeyGen 2012, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project
Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Barrier to movement

Potential barrier to movement due to the physical presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures, cables and electrical equipment.

Habitat
Mitigation

Adherence to vessel management plan.

Minimizes the potential interaction between animals and construction or maintenance vessels.

OpenHydro and SSE Renewables 2013, Aquatera 2017, ScottishPower Renewables 2010, Brims Tidal Array, Tocardo InToTidal at EMEC, Sound of Islay Demonstration Tidal Array
Wave, Tidal Installation, Decommissioning Habitat Loss

Direct loss of protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed communities due to the presence of devices and associated moorings or support structures on the seabed.

Habitat
Benthic invertebrates, demersal fish
Design feature

Micrositing of offshore infrastructure to avoid sensitive habitats and minimise footprint.

Could reduce/remove effects on sensitive habitats.

Low cost measure at single device or small-scale array.

MeyGen 2012, ScottishPower Renewables 2012, ScottishPower Renewables 2010, Davison and Mallows 2005, SSE Renewables 2011, Laminaria 2018, Tidal Lagoon Power 2017, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) 2011, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project , Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array, Sound of Islay Demonstration Tidal Array, Strangford Lough - MCT (SeaGen), Westray South Tidal Project, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (SBTL), Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS)
Tidal Operation & Maintenance Collision risk

Potential for collision with turbine blades.

Marine Mammals
Monitoring

Environmental monitoring to better understand near-field behaviour and avoidance.

Reduce scientific uncertainty.

Can be a high cost associated with this.

Unclear how much monitoring will be required to fully understand this risk.

Technology is not advanced enough yet to do this efficiently.

Data mortgage (data gathered more quickly than it can be analysed).

...Read more

Can be a high cost associated with this.

Unclear how much monitoring will be required to fully understand this risk.

Technology is not advanced enough yet to do this efficiently.

Data mortgage (data gathered more quickly than it can be analysed).

Power supply availability - hard-wired vs. battery; power is required for monitoring and power availability can present logistical, financial, and technical challenges.

Interaction between equipment - e.g., multibeam sonar/ADCP/echosounder; there can be interaction between monitoring equipment which can present challenges in monitoring.

Certain equipment used such as PAM may actually effect behaviour themselves.

Read less
GlaxoSmithKlineMontrose 2012, Minesto 2016, Davison and Mallows 2005, Xodus Group 2019, McGrath 2013, MeyGen 2012, Orbital Marine Power 2018, GSK Montrose Tidal Array, Minesto Holyhead Deep - Non-grid connected DG500, Strangford Lough - MCT (SeaGen), EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, Fair Head Tidal Array, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project , Orbital Marine Power O2 at EMEC
Wave, Tidal Operation & Maintenance Lighting

Potential for light from installation vessels to adversely affect nocturnal and migratory species.

Marine Mammals
Monitoring

Monitoring effects on animals.

Reduce scientific uncertainty.

Can be difficult to detect change as a result of interaction as opposed to natural variability.

Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Contamination

Potential for accidental or unplanned events which could lead to contamination of the marine environment.

Reptiles
Mitigation, Compliance

Management: Establish and implement a Contamination Control Plan/Ship Oil Contamination Emergency Plans (SOPEPs).

Compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) codes for the prevention of contamination.

Reduces risk of any contamination/pollution event and ensures that contingency plans are in place.

Demonstrates compliance with environmental management systems.

Foubister 2005, MeyGen 2012, Xodus AURORA 2010, Foubister 2005, Davison and Mallows 2005, Royal Haskoning and Sea Generation (Kyle Rhea) Ltd. 2013, The Marine Institute 2016, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project , HS1000 at EMEC, Strangford Lough - MCT (SeaGen), Kyle Rhea Tidal Stream Array Project, Galway Bay Test Site, PacWave South Test Site
Tidal Operation & Maintenance Changes in water flow

The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures.

Benthic
Monitoring

Modelling to predict the interaction between changes in tidal flow, flux and turbulence structure and animals.

Reduces scientific uncertainty so appropriate management measures can be employed.

Limited management measures available to minimise interaction despite modelling to fully predict interaction

Wave, Tidal Installation, Decommissioning Habitat Loss

Direct loss of protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed communities due to the presence of devices and associated moorings or support structures on the seabed.

Benthic
Benthic invertebrates, demersal fish
Mitigation

Use of locally sourced materials, for cable protection, of the same type as the habitat to be disturbed by cable installation.

Minimize impact on biodiversity/ecosystem - lost seabed is replaced with same material and minimizes habitat loss.

Tidal Lagoon Power 2017, Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (SBTL)
Tidal Operation & Maintenance Collision risk

Potential for collision with turbine blades.

Birds
Diving birds
Mitigation

Reduce maximum blade tip speed.

Could reduce the likelihood or consequence of potential collision events.

Potential impacts on power production.

Control mechanism of turbine blade speed unclear.

May cause increased fatigue.

Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Vessel disturbance

Potential for disturbance from project vessels.

Birds
Birds on water
Mitigation

Adhere to minimum approach distances for vessels on approach.

Reduces potential effects.

Relatively low-cost measure.

Effectiveness of mitigation is unclear. Further monitoring (e.g., defining of approach distances and then comparing these to see which are most effective) would validate the efficacy of the measure.

Can increase the time of operational procedures and thus increase cost.

Xodus Group 2019, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2020, DP Energy Ltd. 2017, Aquatera 2017, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, EMEC Scapa Flow Scale Wave Test Site, Fair Head Tidal Array, Tocardo InToTidal at EMEC, PacWave South Test Site
Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Contamination

Potential for accidental or unplanned events which could lead to contamination of the marine environment.

Fish
Compliance

Management: Establish and implement a Contamination Control Plan/Ship Oil Contamination Emergency Plans (SOPEPs).

Compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) codes for the prevention of contamination.

Reduces risk of any contamination/pollution event and ensures that contingency plans are in place.

Demonstrates compliance with environmental management systems.

Foubister 2005, GlaxoSmithKlineMontrose 2012, MeyGen 2012, DP Energy Ltd. 2013, Foubister 2005, Davison and Mallows 2005, Royal Haskoning and Sea Generation (Kyle Rhea) Ltd. 2013, The Marine Institute 2016, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, GSK Montrose Tidal Array, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project , West Islay Tidal Project Energy Park, Strangford Lough - MCT (SeaGen), Kyle Rhea Tidal Stream Array Project, Galway Bay Test Site, PacWave South Test Site
Wave, Tidal Operation & Maintenance Habitat Creation

The introduction of infrastructure and artificial substrates will provide habitat and artificial refuges.

Fish
Monitoring

Monitor near-field behaviours.

Reduces scientific uncertainty around collision risk, displacement, and other impacts.

Increased value/fecundity of commercially important species.

Informs understanding of potential positive impacts from colonisation and use of the project infrastructure.

Can be expensive and difficult to deliver in practice.

May require additional licensing (e.g., echosounders).

European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2014, Xodus Group 2019, Magallanes Renovables 2020, Laminaria 2018, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, Magallanes Renovables ATIR at EMEC, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site
Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Contamination

Potential for accidental or unplanned events which could lead to contamination of the marine environment.

Habitat
Design feature

Physical containment systems including bulk heads, closed circuit systems, pressure relief systems.

Reduces risk of contamination/pollution escaping from structure.

Foubister 2005, MeyGen 2012, South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWDRA) 2006, Magallanes Renovables 2020, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) 2011, The Marine Institute 2016, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project , Magallanes Renovables ATIR at EMEC, Galway Bay Test Site
Wave, Tidal Installation Barrier to movement

Potential barrier to movement due to the physical presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures, cables and electrical equipment.

Marine Mammals
Design feature

Site selection to avoid sensitive routes/areas.

Minimizes risk of development acting as a barrier to movement by avoiding migratory routes or other important sites.

ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array
Wave, Tidal Operation & Maintenance Contamination

Potential for oil/hydraulic spill incident resulting from the maintenance activities.

Marine Mammals
Mitigation

All maintenance activities involving oil/hydraulic fluid treatments will be carried out on-shore.

Reduces the chance for oil spill to the environment.

Foubister 2005, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site
Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Vessel disturbance

Potential for disturbance from project vessels.

Marine Mammals
Mitigation

Reduce speed and maintain steady course when animal is sighted.

Reduces potential effects and is a relatively low cost measure.

Aquamarine Power Ltd 2011, Xodus AURORA 2010, Aquatera Ltd 2011, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2020, Magallanes Renovables 2020, Royal Haskoning 2012, Aquatera 2017, Tidal Lagoon Power 2017, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, Orbital Marine Power 2018, Oyster 800 at EMEC, HS1000 at EMEC, Wello Penguin at EMEC, EMEC Scapa Flow Scale Wave Test Site, Magallanes Renovables ATIR at EMEC, Oyster 800 at EMEC, Tocardo InToTidal at EMEC, Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (SBTL), PacWave South Test Site, Orbital Marine Power O2 at EMEC
Wave, Tidal Operation & Maintenance Entrapment

Potential risk of entrapment within device chambers and mooring arrays.

Reptiles
Mitigation

Regular ROV/drop down camera surveys to establish occurrence of entrapment

Early detection of entrapment.

Additional cost.

Wave Operation & Maintenance Dissipation of wave energy

The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures.

Benthic
Benthic invertebrates
Monitoring

Benthic and intertidal surveys focused on indicator species, species assemblage, community structure and ecosystem function.

Reduce scientific uncertainty.

Determining impacts against natural variability may be difficult.

European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2019, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2011, Xodus Group 2012, McGrath 2013, The Marine Institute 2016, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, EMEC Shapinsay Sound Scale Tidal Test Site, Costa Head Wave Farm, Fair Head Tidal Array, Galway Bay Test Site
Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Airborne noise

The potential effects from airborne noise from support vessel activity.

Birds
Seabirds
Mitigation

Adherence to Scotish Marine Wildlife Watching Code (SMWWC).

Magallanes Renovables 2020, Xodus Group 2019, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2020, Aquatera 2017, Laminaria 2018, Orbital Marine Power 2018, Magallanes Renovables ATIR at EMEC, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, EMEC Scapa Flow Scale Wave Test Site, Tocardo InToTidal at EMEC, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, Orbital Marine Power O2 at EMEC, Mocean Wave Energy Converter: Blue Horizon
Wave, Tidal Operation & Maintenance Entanglement

Potential for marine animals to become entangled in device mooring lines and cables.

Birds
Diving birds
Design feature

Fishing debris detected during routine inspections of mooring lines and cables will be removed.

Remove/reduce risk of entanglement.

Low cost measure, implemented as part of standard O&M procedures.

Regular monitoring will benefit system performance in addition to addressing environmental risks (e.g., early detection of damage or failures in the system).

Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Changes in sediment dynamics

Sediment disturbance disrupting water clarity that results in smothering of fish spawning grounds.

Fish
Design feature

Minimize the amount of structure on the seabed.

Minimizes the changes in sediment dynamics due to presence of structure on the seabed.

Can present financial, logistical, or design challenges to technology developer to alter design of device/moorings.

OpenHydro and SSE Renewables 2013, Brims Tidal Array
Wave, Tidal Operation & Maintenance EMF

Impacts of electromagnetic fields from landfall cables on sensitive species.

Fish
Demersal fish
Design feature

Bundle cables together to reduce field vectors.

MeyGen 2012, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project
Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Marine Non-Native Species (MNNS)

Potential for introduction of MNNS which can have an adverse impact on the native species at the site.

Fish
Monitoring

Monitoring and reporting of MNNS.

Reduces/removes risk of transfer of non-native species.

PLAT-O at EMEC
Wave Operation & Maintenance Dissipation of wave energy

The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures.

Habitat
Benthic invertebrates
Monitoring

Benthic and intertidal surveys focused on indicator species, species assemblage, community structure and ecosystem function.

Reduce scientific uncertainty.

Determining impacts against natural variability may be difficult.

European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2019, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2011, The Marine Institute 2016, ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Xodus Group 2012, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, EMEC Shapinsay Sound Scale Tidal Test Site, Galway Bay Test Site, Pelamis Wave Power P2 Demonstration at EMEC
Tidal Operation & Maintenance Changes in water flow

Modifications to prey distribution and abundance (to include for other receptors) resulting in changes to foraging behaviour.

Marine Mammals
Monitoring

Modelling to predict the interaction between changes in tidal flow, flux and turbulence structure and animals.

Reduces scientific uncertainty so appropriate management measures can be employed

Limited management measures available to minimize interaction despite modelling to fully predict interaction.

Wave, Tidal Operation & Maintenance Entanglement

Potential for marine animals to become entangled in device mooring lines and cables.

Marine Mammals
Cetaceans
Monitoring

Fishing debris detected during routine inspections of mooring lines and cables will be removed.

Remove/reduce risk of entanglement

Low cost measure, implemented as part of standard O&M procedures.

Regular monitoring will benefit system performance in addition to addressing environmental risks (e.g., early detection of damage or failures in the system).

Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Barrier to movement

Potential barrier to movement due to the physical presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures, cables and electrical equipment.

Reptiles
Monitoring

Monitoring of existing developments.

Reduces scientific uncertainty.

Can be complex and costly.

Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Barrier to movement

Potential barrier to movement due to the physical presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures, cables and electrical equipment.

Benthic
Mitigation

Adherence to vessel management plan.

Minimises the potential interaction between animals and construction or maintenance vessels.

OpenHydro and SSE Renewables 2013, Aquatera 2017, ScottishPower Renewables 2010, Brims Tidal Array, Tocardo InToTidal at EMEC, Sound of Islay Demonstration Tidal Array
Wave, Tidal Operation & Maintenance EMF

Impacts of electromagnetic fields from landfall cables on sensitive species.

Benthic
Benthic invertebrates
Design feature

Maximise length of any drilled boreholes.

MeyGen 2012, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project
Tidal Operation & Maintenance Changes in water flow

The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures.

Birds
Design feature

Site selection.

Minimizes significance of interaction.

ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array
Wave, Tidal Installation Lighting

Potential for light from installation vessels to adversely affect nocturnal and migratory species.

Birds
Seabirds
Mitigation

Limit lighting on installation vessels to that safe for navigational purposes only.

Reduce impact on sensitive species.

A lot of the light on navigational vessels is superflous so would not detract from their safe operation.

Xodus Group 2019, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site
Tidal Operation & Maintenance Collision risk

Potential for collision with turbine blades.

Fish
Elasmobranch
Mitigation

Implement a 'soft start'/cut in speed management approach at sensitive sites, i.e. those where the potential for collisions is high.

Soft start could reduce risk by allowing animals time to move away from the turbine.

Cut in speed management could be used to reduce risk during periods of known higher activity in sensitive species.

Low cost option, adopted for other activities (e.g., piling).

Unclear if this offers additional mitigation as many devices power up gradually anyway.

Implementation of this measure could result in a loss of revenue for the developer.

MeyGen 2012, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2014, SAE Renewables 2011, Tidal Lagoon Power 2017, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project , EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, Atlantis Resources Corporation at EMEC, Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (SBTL)
Wave, Tidal Operation & Maintenance Entanglement

Potential for marine animals to become entangled in device mooring lines and cables.

Fish
Elasmobranch, large fish
Design feature

Maintain taut mooring lines.

Remove/reduce risk of entanglement.

Regular inspections can provide insight to interaction with marine animals.

Mooring design driven by technical and commercial consideration.

Regular ROV/dive or drop-down camera inspections required.

Aquatera Ltd 2011, Laminaria 2018, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, Wello Penguin at EMEC, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, PacWave South Test Site
Wave, Tidal Installation, Decommissioning Changes in sediment dynamics

Reduced visibility impacting prey detection and obstruction avoidance.

Habitat
Mitigation

Best practice methodologies to reduce resuspension of sediment during cable burial or device foundation/mooring installation.

Orbital Marine Power 2014, Foubister 2005, ScottishPower Renewables 2010, Royal Haskoning and Sea Generation (Kyle Rhea) Ltd. 2013, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) 2011, The Marine Institute 2016, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, Sound of Islay Demonstration Tidal Array, Kyle Rhea Tidal Stream Array Project, Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS), Galway Bay Test Site
Wave, Tidal Installation, Decommissioning Habitat Loss

Direct loss of protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed communities due to the presence of devices and associated moorings or support structures on the seabed.

Habitat
Benthic invertebrates, demersal fish
Design feature

Minimise footprint of anchors/foundations.

Could reduce effects on sensitive habitats.

May impact technical considerations.

Low 2012, OpenHydro and SSE Renewables 2013, SSE Renewables 2011, Brims Tidal Array, Westray South Tidal Project
Tidal Operation & Maintenance Collision risk

Potential for collision with turbine blades.

Marine Mammals
Mitigation

Selective structural and blade coatings (e.g., colors to aide detection).

Possible that this will aid detection of subsea structures and help reduce risk.

Can be captured in early project design for a small one-off cost.

Could result in 'attraction', increasing risk of collision.

Uncertainty around how animals use visual cues, further research needed. Other sensory organs are often more important for seals.

Use of such measures may be limited to conform with IALA standards.

Xodus Group 2019, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site
Wave, Tidal Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning Marine Non-Native Species (MNNS)

Potential for introduction of MNNS which can have an adverse impact on the native species at the site.

Marine Mammals
Mitigation

Establish and implement a Biofouling Management Plan.

Reduce/remove risk of transfer of non-native species.

Lack of industry specific guidance.

European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2014, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site
Wave, Tidal Operation & Maintenance Displacement

Potential displacement of essential activities due to the presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures.

Reptiles
Design feature

Site selection (taking into account cumulative impact of other developments).

Minimizes risk of development causing displacement by avoiding migratory routes or other important sites.