World news |
the National Hydropower Association (NHA) in the US and Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), solidifying their commitment to collaborative advancement and knowledge exchange in marine energy development. Renowned as leading advocates for marine
energy within their respective nations, NHA and MRC are dedicated to propelling marine energy solutions forward. This partnership marks a significant stride towards nurturing a thriving marine energy sector on a global scale. The MoU signifies a pivotal milestone in aligning shared objectives. Through the amalgamation of their expertise and resources, NHA and MRC aim to spearhead innovation, surmount challenges, and expedite the transition towards a sustainable energy landscape by amplifying the potential of marine energy.
Marine energy holds immense promise in decarbonizing energy portfolios across the US and Canada, offering deployment avenues in offshore power, “Blue Economy” sectors, rural and remote communities, and utility-scale grid applications. According to the NREL, marine energy
resources in the US alone are estimated at 2,300 terawatt hours annually, equivalent to 56% of the nation’s total electricity generation in 2021. Harnessing just a fraction of these resources could supply 5.6% of total electricity generation, sufficient to power over 22 million households. To put this in perspective, domestic installed hydropower and solar power capacity each contributed roughly 5.6% of total US electricity in 2023.
Canada boasts some of the globe’s most auspicious tidal, wave, river current, and offshore wind energy reservoirs. Over the past decade, the nation has made substantial headway in nurturing its marine renewable energy domain, with ongoing tidal energy initiatives in the Bay of Fundy and endeavours to substitute diesel in remote communities with marine energy alternatives. Elisa Obermann, Executive Director of Marine Renewables Canada, voiced confidence in the collaboration, remarking: “At this stage in industry development, we need to work together to advance marine energy to a truly commercial clean energy solution. This strengthened collaboration with NHA will support our collective memberships in tackling challenges and bolster U.S. and Canadian efforts to address joint priorities for sector growth.”
“While progress is being made in the marine
energy sector, there are still challenges to growing the sector in the United States and internationally,” underscored Malcolm Woolf, President and CEO of NHA. “By working more closely with Marine Renewables Canada, we hope to collaborate on key challenges, build partnerships amongst our memberships, and share information and best practices that can help accelerate the sector’s development.”
8 | May 2024 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com Ukraine
UK scientists lead rapid assessment of Kakhovka dam breach, supporting biodiversity’s recovery UK scientists have conducted an unprecedented rapid assessment of the environmental aftermath of the breach of the Kakhovka Dam, aiming to aid in the recovery of a critical biodiversity hotspot. Following the breach of the dam located in southern Ukraine, amid a warzone, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and HR Wallingford collaborated to undertake the first independent evaluation of the impacts within weeks of the incident occurring in June. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the assessment estimated that approximately half a million hectares of protected freshwater and terrestrial habitats faced various hazards, including exposure to pollutants from over a thousand sites and sediment erosion. This ecological crisis was exacerbated by widespread flooding downstream and the near- complete depletion of the upstream Kakhovka Reservoir. Traditionally, environmental assessments of this magnitude have only occurred post- conflict when it’s deemed safe for scientists to conduct thorough field studies. However, this approach has constrained targeted biodiversity restoration within post-conflict recovery plans. The rapid assessment of the Kakhovka Dam breach sets a precedent for early intervention in future conflict situations, allowing for more effective restoration efforts. The report, commissioned by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), utilized hydrological modelling, digital mapping, satellite imagery, and ecological data to identify affected habitats and species promptly. The reports key findings were: Downstream flooding encompassed
approximately 83,000 hectares, equivalent to the size of Kyiv, with an initial discharge rate of 30,000m³ per second, significantly surpassing the daily average. The near-complete drainage of the Kakhovka
Reservoir resulted in the displacement of thousands of fish, including an estimated 28,000 crucian carp, valued at approximately US $108 million. Over 1000 potential pollution sources, ranging from wastewater treatment facilities to industrial sites, further exacerbated environmental degradation. Sediment erosion post-flooding raised concerns about the release of historic pollutants stored within the sediment, posing additional risks to the ecosystem. Furthermore, the breach impacted over half a million hectares of habitats of national or international significance, including the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve. Notably, 28 out of the 567 affected species are globally threatened or worse, including the Great Bustard and the
slender-billed curlew, which is teetering on the brink of extinction. Professor Bryan Spears of UKCEH emphasized the assessment’s importance as a baseline for evaluating biodiversity and habitat recovery post-breach. “It is now important that the results of this and other assessments are scrutinised fully by the wider scientific community, allowing biodiversity restoration to be incorporated within post-conflict recovery planning at an early stage,” he said. Emma Brown, technical director at HR
Wallingford, added: “I am very proud of the work we’ve done with UKCEH to assess the environmental impacts of the Kakhovka Dam breach. Combining our expertise in dam breach modelling, hydrology and earth observation with UKCEH’s expert biodiversity knowledge enabled the team to produce a detailed report in just 16 days, which I hope will be instrumental in helping with recovery efforts in the region.” The report, which contributed to a broader UN Environment Programme assessment, also outlined potential long-term ramifications on the environment, human health, and economies. Recommendations for future action were provided, emphasizing the imperative of utilizing scientific insights to inform humanitarian and environmental responses to global disasters and emergencies. The full report is accessible on the Zenodo
website, accompanied by a commentary authored by Professor Spears in the journal Nature, Ecology & Evolution.
UK World’s largest tidal scheme on River Mersey inches closer as formal planning process begins A significant decision by Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will advance the Mersey Tidal Power project into the formal planning phase. The proposed tidal barrage between the Wirral and Liverpool has been earmarked as the preferred option for the Mersey Tidal Power project.
In a meeting held on Friday, March 15, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority voted to initiate the formal planning process by drafting a scoping opinion, marking a crucial step towards realizing the tidal power scheme. If realized, it could potentially generate clean energy for 120 years and create numerous employment opportunities in both construction and operation phases. “The River Mersey has been the lifeblood
of our region’s fortunes for centuries – and it has an even more vital role to play in our future. Where our area was once a leader in the First Industrial Revolution, we now have an opportunity to seize our chance to become a leader in the Green Industrial Revolution,” said Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region. “Mersey Tidal Power has the potential to generate clean, predictable energy for 120
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