Effects of Tidal Turbine Noise on Fish Task 2.1.3.2: Effects on Aquatic Organisms: Acoustics/Noise - Fiscal Year 2011 - Progress Report - Environmental Effects of Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy

Abstract

Energy 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 participants 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 understand the effects of energy removal on water bodies from the short-and long-term operation of MHK devices and arrays. Initially, PNNL's three-dimensional coastal circulation and transport model of Puget Sound will be adapted to test and optimize simulated tidal technologies that resemble those currently in proposal, laboratory trial, or pilot study test stages. This task includes ...

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“…During MRED construction, pile-driving noise may affect fish by damaging their hearing or causing barotrauma to swim bladders and other organs [58]. To explore acoustic impacts of operations, juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were exposed to simulated tidal turbine noise, resulting in low levels of nonlethal tissue damage [59].…”

“…The effects of exposure to chronic operational noise are uncertain. However, the frequency range of the noise does overlap the audiograms of most fishes, which range from approximately 15 Hz up to 1 kHz (see [59]).…”

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“…The turbines used for energy extraction increase the underwater noise, causing stress and potential tissue damage to fish, marine mammals, and birds [64]. Frid et al [61] mentioned that the effects can directly damage the sensory tissues or indirectly change the behavior of the individuals, some incidents of whale strandings have been associated to underwater noise from military activities.…”