Assessment of Tidal Energy Removal Impacts on Physical Systems: Development of MHK Module and Analysis of Effects on Hydrodynamics

Abstract

In this report we describe 1) the development, test, and validation of the marine hydrokinetic energy scheme in a three-dimensional coastal ocean model (FVCOM); and 2) the sensitivity analysis of effects of marine hydrokinetic energy configurations on power extraction and volume flux in a coastal bay. Submittal of this report completes the work on Task 2. Project OverviewEnergy generated from the world's oceans and rivers offers the potential to make substantial contributions to the domestic and global renewable energy supply. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Wind and Water Power Program supports the emerging marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy industry. As partners in an emerging industry, MHK project developers face challenges with siting, permitting, construction, and operation of pilot-and commercial-scale facilities, as well as the need to develop robust technologies, secure financing, and gain public acceptance.In many cases, little is known about the potential effects of MHK energy generation on the aquatic environment from a small number of devices or a large-scale commercial array. Nor do we understand potential effects that may occur after years or decades of operation. This lack of knowledge affects the solvency of the industry, the actions of regulatory agencies, the opinions and concerns of stakeholder groups, and the commitment of energy project developers and investors.To unravel and address the complexity of environmental issues associated with MHK energy, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is developing a program of research and development that draws on the knowledge of the industry, regulators, and stakeholders and builds on investments made by the EERE Wind and Water Power Program. The PNNL program of research and development-together with complementary efforts of other national laboratories, national marine renewable energy centers, universities, and industry-supports DOE's market acceleration activities through focused research and development on environmental effects and siting issues. Research areas addressed include  categorizing and evaluating effects of stressors -Information on the environmental risks from MHK devices, including data obtained from in situ testing and laboratory experiments (see other tasks below) will be compiled in a knowledge management system known as Tethys to facilitate the creation, annotation, and exchange of information on environmental effects of MHK technologies.Tethys will support the Environmental Risk Evaluation System (ERES) that can be used by developers, regulators, and other stakeholders to assess relative risks associated with MHK technologies, site characteristics, waterbody characteristics, and receptors (i.e., habitat, marine mammals, and fish). Development of Tethys and the ERES will require focused input from various stakeholders to ensure accuracy and alignment with other needs. effects on physical systems -Computational numerical modeling will be used to understan...

Assssment and Mapping of the Riverine Hydrokinetic Resource in the Continental United States

“…A number of studies and reviews address the recoverable hydrokinetic resource in tidal settings (e.g., Couch and Bryden 2004, Garrett and Cummins 2005, Bryden and Couch 2006, EPRI 2006, Garrett and Cummins 2007, Lunden and Bahaj 2007, Sutherland et al 2007, Blanchfield et al 2008, Garrett and Cummins 2008, Karsten et al 2008, Polagye et al 2008, Sun et al 2008, Walkington and Burrows 2009, Atwater and Lawrence 2010, Shapiro 2010, Defne et al 2011, Yang and Wang 2011; however, there is no known, definitive study published on the recoverable river in-stream hydrokinetic resource other than the 1986 study by Miller et al Ortgega-Achury et al (2010) specifically addressed riverine hydrokinetics as well as other hydrokinetic technologies, but focused on the hydraulic and environmental consequences of turbine deployment rather than on the amount of recoverable energy in rivers.…”

Using Coupled Hydrodynamic Biogeochemical Models to Predict the Effects of Tidal Turbine Arrays on Phytoplankton Dynamics

“…Those include increased nutrient loads transported into the sea by rivers (such as fertilizer run-off from agriculture), sewage, aquaculture, and mussel farming sites. The influence of such additions can be exacerbated through slower or less pronounced flushing of coastal areas or inlets after introduction of structures that slow down or prevent water movement, like a large array of TEDs [20]. In the idealised model presented here, residence time increased by 5% under the TED array scenario.…”

“…Reviews have discussed the potential local ecological effects [5][6][7][8][9] focusing largely on sediment dynamics [10,11], collision risks with mammals [12,13], fish or seabirds [14][15][16], and changes in larger community structures [17,18]. The installation of a large TED array will change the hydrodynamics of the ambient flow [19,20]. Many sessile and sedentary organisms depend on the flow of the water for availability of nutrients and food and hence changes in the hydrodynamics due to the presence of tidal turbines could potentially reduce the growth and ultimately survival of these organisms [8].…”

Using coupled hydrodynamic biogeochemical models to predict the effects of tidal turbine arrays on phytoplankton dynamics

“…flushing of a basin (Yang and Wang 2011). In the idealised model residence time increased by 5% under the TED array scenario.…”

“…A number of review studies discuss the potential local ecological effects (Boehlert and Gill 2010, Kadiri et al 2012, Maclean et al 2014, Shields et al 2011, Shields and Payne 2014, focussing largely on sediment dynamics (Martin-Short et al 2015, Neill et al 2009), collision risks with mammals (Thompson et al 2013), fish or seabirds Ehnberg 2013, 30 Hammar et al 2015) and changes in larger community structures (Adams et al 2014, Kregting et al In review). The installation of a TED array will change the hydrodynamics of the ambient flow Bryden 2007, Yang andWang 2011). Many sessile and sedentary organisms depend on the flow of the water for availability of nutrients and food and hence changes in the hydrodynamics due to the presence of tidal turbines could potentially reduce the growth and ultimately survival of these organisms (Shields et al 2011).…”