Wave & tidal power |
Below: Preparing Acoustic Current Doppler Profilers for deployment on the seabed. These measure currents at EMEC wave sites (Credit Colin Keldie, EMEC)
collaborating with relevant state agencies to
investigate the feasibility and potential of wave and tidal energy development across the US state. Furthermore, the energy commission is urged to incorporate wave and tidal energy pilot projects into the investment planning process for the Electric Investment Charge programme which invests in scientific and technological research to expedite the transformation of the electricity sector to align with the state’s energy and climate goals. “Wave power is clean, consistent, predictable, and, with over 1000 miles of shoreline, our state has a unique opportunity to capitalize on this untapped energy source,” California Senator Alex Padilla stated. “We need to invest in innovation now to remain a leader in the clean energy future.” The legislation receives sponsorship from AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, a 35-acre ocean technology campus that hosts Eco Wave Power’s first wave energy power station in North America. The upcoming pilot project, expected to be the first onshore wave energy station in the US, is scheduled for installation in the coming months.
Inna Braverman, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eco Wave Power, expressed delight at the progress of the legislation, emphasising the commitment California has shown to incorporate innovative renewable energy sources across the state. “We offer our continued support through the legislative process – every step forward brings us closer to building more sustainable infrastructure on California’s vast coast,” she said. The momentum for wave energy in the US is not limited to California, as New Jersey is also making strides in this domain. Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak has proposed legislation to encourage New Jersey’s exploration of wave energy technologies on the state’s coastline through funding feasibility studies and pilot programs. The bill awaits consideration from the New Jersey State Senate Environment and Energy Committee. Meanwhile the US Department of Energy (DOE)
has recently unveiled a significant investment of nearly US$10 million directed towards seven projects aimed at accelerating the development and testing of marine energy technologies. The funds will propel research on wave-powered technology for seawater desalination and support a feasibility study for an ocean current test facility. Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Alejandro Moreno, expressed optimism about the transformative possibilities of marine energy technologies. He stated: “Marine energy technologies have incredible potential to provide clean electricity as well as clean water. These projects represent DOE’s first significant investment in marine energy serving the blue economy market and will advance technologies that can meet these needs and help achieve President Biden’s goal of a net-zero- emissions economy by 2050.”
Sonar deployment Underwater active sonar technology described
as groundbreaking has been successfully deployed on the Magallanes Renovables ATIR tidal energy converter as part of Menter Môn’s Marine Characterisation Research Project (MCRP). The MCRP project aims to support the safe implementation of tidal energy converters in the Morlais Demonstration Zone (MDZ), situated off the coast of Holy Island, Anglesey in Wales. Working in collaboration with the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St Andrews, the project team has mounted the active sonar beneath the hull of the Magallanes ATIR tidal energy converter, which is presently operational at the EMEC in Orkney. During the initial phase of the research, the sonar
system will collect crucial data for a month, with plans for a second phase later this year. The technology emits high-frequency acoustic signals into the water, and by analysing the resulting echoes, researchers can detect and identify marine mammals, including seals, dolphins, and porpoises, in the vicinity of the tidal energy converter. The sonar technology and its findings will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safe and phased deployment of tidal energy converters at the Morlais site. Magallanes is expected to lead the way in tidal energy converter deployment, with plans to establish a tidal energy converter array in 2026, after securing
46 | September 2023 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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