Engineering news
The study of wildlife, collected over the last decade around wave and tidal energy test sites in Orkney, has found little evidence of any long-term effects on the use of surrounding seas by the birds and marine mammals.
“Orkney is an area known for its beauty and diverse wildlife, and as a local operator we have always striven to treat the environment with the care and consideration it deserves,” Atlantis Resources chief executive Tim Cornelius told Professional Engineering.
“This once again reinforces the fact that tidal power is a predictable, reliable, environmentally benign, low-environmental impact source of dependable renewable energy – and one that operates in harmony with seabirds and marine mammals alike.”
Meanwhile, statistical analysis of about 10,000 hours of observations at the Fall of Warness tidal test site off Eday indicated a change in density and redistribution of some bird species when construction work started. However, numbers returned to around previous levels once the tidal turbines were installed and operational. Observations of seals, whales and dolphins revealed similar findings.
Scientists believe that the increased boat activity associated with the initial construction of the devices might cause the temporary disturbance and displacement of some species, but numbers recover once this activity is complete and the tidal turbines are operational.
At the Billia Croo wave test site, near Stromness, around 6,500 hours of observations were completed, but no significant changes in distribution or density of birds or mammals around the test facilities were detected.
“This is another example of the renewable energy industry working closely with conservation bodies to safeguard wildlife,” RenewableUK’s deputy chief executive Maf Smith told Professional Engineering.
“As well as developing technologies to tackle climate change – which conservation organisations agree is by far the biggest threat to wildlife – we’re making sure we do so in a way which respects our natural environment.”
The development of renewable energy technologies and the surveillance and monitoring work is helping to achieve the 2020 Challenge for Biodiversity, which aims to ensure that Scotland’s marine and coastal environments are "clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse, meeting the long-term needs of the people and nature."