Day 2Thursday, 14 November 2024 - GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, GMTZ)

Introduction

As global energy demands rise amidst concerns over climate change and energy security, the quest for sustainable solutions has turned towards the vast potential of wave and tidal energy. Originating in the late 19th century and propelled by modern advancements, marine renewable energy converters offer promising alternatives. However, their deployment raises critical environmental issues—from impacts on marine habitats to challenges like biofouling. This talk explores the historical evolution, current challenges, and technological innovations shaping the future of marine renewable energy. Highlighting global leadership in environmental stewardship and the imperative for continued research, it underscores the pivotal role of these technologies in our transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future.

Objectives

• Provide an overview of the historical development of wave and tidal energy technologies.
• Highlight early environmental concerns and impacts associated with marine renewable energy converters.
• Discuss the significant challenge of biofouling for tidal stream turbines (TSTs) and advancements in biofouling management.
• Outline technological advancements in monitoring biofouling, including machine learning-based and hyperspectral imaging techniques.
• Emphasize global leadership in environmental impact assessments and regulatory frameworks for marine renewable energy projects.
• Advocate for continued research and international collaboration to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of marine renewable energy technologies.

Key Concepts/Terms

• Marine Renewable Energy Converters
• Wave and Tidal Devices
• Environmental Impacts
• Habitat Alteration
• Underwater Noise
• Electromagnetic Fields
• Marine Life Displacement
• Animal Collisions
• Biofouling
• Monitoring and Mitigation
• Baseline Studies

Background and Context

Interest in harnessing wave and tidal energy began in the late 19th century and gained momentum through experimental prototypes in the 20th century. Modern advancements in marine renewable energy converters have responded to growing concerns over climate change and energy security. Early deployments raised environmental concerns about their potential impacts on marine habitats, including noise pollution, electromagnetic fields, and interactions with marine life such as collisions and entanglement. Biofouling, the accumulation of marine organisms on surfaces, emerged as a significant challenge for tidal stream turbines (TSTs), affecting their efficiency and longevity. Research focused on developing effective biofouling management strategies. Recent decades have seen rapid progress in monitoring biofouling, from traditional methods like visual inspections and hydroacoustic imaging to advanced techniques such as machine learning-based image processing and hyperspectral imaging. These innovations aim to provide real-time assessment and improve maintenance practices. Globally, countries like the United States, Scotland, and the United Kingdom have led in environmental impact assessments and regulatory frameworks for marine renewable energy projects, emphasizing adaptive management and sustainability in energy development. Continued research and collaboration are crucial to enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of marine renewable energy technologies as part of the global transition to a low-carbon future.