WORKSTREAM 1: The Research Questions, and Monitoring Progress towards Project Aims/Deliverables and the Methods Toolbox (lead Marine Scotland Science - MSS)
1) What is the best way to assess wave and tidal energy resources, and feedbacks on energy extraction, in certain geographical areas? Fundamental to MSS are effects at a regional scale, such as the whole Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters (PFOW), rather than at the scale of an individual site. The relevance of meso-scale resource assessment is particularly important if, for example, targeting the best sites in terms of resource may actually deplete the resource elsewhere. Conversely, targeting a number of less obvious sites may actually lead to a higher energy yield, due to the interactive, and cumulative, effects the developments have on the flow field (Polagye et al. 2009). Also some configurations of energy extraction zones may have a large impact over a small spatial area, whereas other configurations may have a smaller impact over a larger spatial area. The relative size of different developments can also have an impact on the overall resource depletion.
2) What are the physical consequences of wave and tidal energy extraction? Effects are likely to occur at a number of spatial scales. MSS are interested in the near-field and far-field. Device scale is addressed as part of the licensing process (EIA), and is thus mainly a concern of the developer. Physical processes to be addressed include: (i) hydrodynamics, including tidal and non-tidal flows; (ii) frontal dynamics; (iii) water column structure and mixing over a range of scales; (iv) sediment transport; (v) bedforms and sandbank stability, formation evolution and migration; and (vi) coastal processes e.g. the accretion and erosion of the coastline. This research will help MSS identify the factors that are likely to contribute to changes to the physical environment in development areas. This, combined with some knowledge of ‘acceptable’ change, may also help identify consequences that may limit growth of the industry. How a number of developments within an area collectively impact upon physical processes is an important question, which would address MSFD Good Environmental Status (Criterion 7.1: Spatial characteristics of permanent alterations). Examples of studies examining such considerations in the Irish sea are those of Walkington and Burrows (2009) and Wolf et al. (2009) who modelled tidal stream and tidal barrage sites.
3) What are the ecological consequences of wave and tidal energy extraction? Once the potential physical impacts are better understood and quantified, the potential consequences on habitats and ecosystems must be investigated. These also cover a range of scales: from the near-field to the broader scale, which could threaten MSFD Good Environmental Status (Criterion 7.2: Impact [on habitats] of permanent hydrographical changes).
4) The development of standard hydrographic modelling methodologies for wave and tidal developments. Advising on the suitability of modelling methodologies at particular development sites is an important role of MSS. At present there is no guidance as to what level of modelling, for different physical processes, is appropriate. A significant outcome of the project will be to identify the best methodologies to model the physical impacts of devices at a range of scales, and the range of options to model ecological effects. The aim is to produce a methods toolbox on which general agreement, of its applicability to licensing questions, can be found.
Task WS1.1 Overseeing spatial data availability and requirements for specific locations: MSS will be responsible for reviewing and collating all data sources brought by the partners to this study. This includes a unique combination of data being assembled. The availability of both physical and environmental data will determine areas to be included in fine scale modelling approaches, for the fine tuning and validation of models, and for use in the statistical models in WS4.
Task WS1.2 Developing Realistic Array Scenarios: For both wave and tidal arrays, MSS will be responsible for descriptions of hypothetical arrays in appropriate locations for subsequent use in the modelled scenarios and provide details of these in discussions with those involved in the modelling packages. These locations will be cognisant of available environmental data (both physical and biological) and of developer needs to consider array on array effects.
Task WS1.3 Acceptability of Impacts and Acceptance Criteria: Concurrent with the project, MSS will look at a range of options for determining the acceptability of potential environmental impacts (particularly with regard to MSFD requirements), jointly with the project partners, seeking feedback from knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement activities.
Task WS1.4 Knowledge Exchange Activities and Stakeholder Engagement: In conjunction with MASTS management of the project, MSS will lead knowledge exchange and Stakeholder Engagement Activities on acceptance criteria and on the development of the methods toolbox.
WS1 Deliverables:
DW1.1. Collation of all environmental data sources to be used in subsequent modelling and model validation for WS2, WS3 and WS4;
DW1.2. In conjunction with developers and partners the determination of array scenarios for WS2 DW1.3. Acceptance criteria and review of acceptability of impacts
DW1.4. Stakeholder dialogue and knowledge exchange for development of the methods toolbox
1) What is the best way to assess wave and tidal energy resources, and feedbacks on energy extraction, in certain geographical areas? Fundamental to MSS are effects at a regional scale, such as the whole Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters (PFOW), rather than at the scale of an individual site. The relevance of meso-scale resource assessment is particularly important if, for example, targeting the best sites in terms of resource may actually deplete the resource elsewhere. Conversely, targeting a number of less obvious sites may actually lead to a higher energy yield, due to the interactive, and cumulative, effects the developments have on the flow field (Polagye et al. 2009). Also some configurations of energy extraction zones may have a large impact over a small spatial area, whereas other configurations may have a smaller impact over a larger spatial area. The relative size of different developments can also have an impact on the overall resource depletion.
2) What are the physical consequences of wave and tidal energy extraction? Effects are likely to occur at a number of spatial scales. MSS are interested in the near-field and far-field. Device scale is addressed as part of the licensing process (EIA), and is thus mainly a concern of the developer. Physical processes to be addressed include: (i) hydrodynamics, including tidal and non-tidal flows; (ii) frontal dynamics; (iii) water column structure and mixing over a range of scales; (iv) sediment transport; (v) bedforms and sandbank stability, formation evolution and migration; and (vi) coastal processes e.g. the accretion and erosion of the coastline. This research will help MSS identify the factors that are likely to contribute to changes to the physical environment in development areas. This, combined with some knowledge of ‘acceptable’ change, may also help identify consequences that may limit growth of the industry. How a number of developments within an area collectively impact upon physical processes is an important question, which would address MSFD Good Environmental Status (Criterion 7.1: Spatial characteristics of permanent alterations). Examples of studies examining such considerations in the Irish sea are those of Walkington and Burrows (2009) and Wolf et al. (2009) who modelled tidal stream and tidal barrage sites.
3) What are the ecological consequences of wave and tidal energy extraction? Once the potential physical impacts are better understood and quantified, the potential consequences on habitats and ecosystems must be investigated. These also cover a range of scales: from the near-field to the broader scale, which could threaten MSFD Good Environmental Status (Criterion 7.2: Impact [on habitats] of permanent hydrographical changes).
4) The development of standard hydrographic modelling methodologies for wave and tidal developments. Advising on the suitability of modelling methodologies at particular development sites is an important role of MSS. At present there is no guidance as to what level of modelling, for different physical processes, is appropriate. A significant outcome of the project will be to identify the best methodologies to model the physical impacts of devices at a range of scales, and the range of options to model ecological effects. The aim is to produce a methods toolbox on which general agreement, of its applicability to licensing questions, can be found.
Task WS1.1 Overseeing spatial data availability and requirements for specific locations: MSS will be responsible for reviewing and collating all data sources brought by the partners to this study. This includes a unique combination of data being assembled. The availability of both physical and environmental data will determine areas to be included in fine scale modelling approaches, for the fine tuning and validation of models, and for use in the statistical models in WS4.
Task WS1.2 Developing Realistic Array Scenarios: For both wave and tidal arrays, MSS will be responsible for descriptions of hypothetical arrays in appropriate locations for subsequent use in the modelled scenarios and provide details of these in discussions with those involved in the modelling packages. These locations will be cognisant of available environmental data (both physical and biological) and of developer needs to consider array on array effects.
Task WS1.3 Acceptability of Impacts and Acceptance Criteria: Concurrent with the project, MSS will look at a range of options for determining the acceptability of potential environmental impacts (particularly with regard to MSFD requirements), jointly with the project partners, seeking feedback from knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement activities.
Task WS1.4 Knowledge Exchange Activities and Stakeholder Engagement: In conjunction with MASTS management of the project, MSS will lead knowledge exchange and Stakeholder Engagement Activities on acceptance criteria and on the development of the methods toolbox.
WS1 Deliverables:
DW1.1. Collation of all environmental data sources to be used in subsequent modelling and model validation for WS2, WS3 and WS4;
DW1.2. In conjunction with developers and partners the determination of array scenarios for WS2 DW1.3. Acceptance criteria and review of acceptability of impacts
DW1.4. Stakeholder dialogue and knowledge exchange for development of the methods toolbox