Presentation Abstract
One of the growing industries in coastal and ocean waters is marine renewable energy. To date, there have been very few deployments in US waters, but the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Marine Sciences Laboratory is conducting research into the environmental impacts of such developments in order to enable the industry to grow. At one time, there were nine tidal projects being investigated within Puget Sound, and none of these has been taken forward. There were several reasons why these projects did not progress but one of the key factors was the cost of the environmental studies. Consequently, there is a need to identify what the key environmental questions are and therefore what studies should be undertaken to ensure the environment is properly protected, but that needless surveys (and costs) are avoided.
Over the next few years, multiple studies will be undertaken at MSL that concentrate on improving how environmental studies are performed to maximize the information collected. This will lead to reduced costs and a more effective knowledge of the issues and how they can be addressed. Ultimately, this will provide the industry with a reliable, effective and efficient toolbox of capabilities to identify and address environmental challenges associated with marine renewable energy.
This presentation will discuss the key issues that have been identified to date, and how targeted studies can help the fledgling industry grow within a highly dynamic area so that the Salish Sea can support and lead the development of renewable energy.
Session Title
General oceanography
Conference Track
Habitat
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Water resources development--Washington (State)--Puget Sound--Testing; Marine animals--Effect of habitat modification on--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Subjects – Names (LCNAF)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (U.S.)
Geographic Coverage
Puget Sound (Wash.); Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons
Environmentally Sound Energy for the Future
2016SSEC
One of the growing industries in coastal and ocean waters is marine renewable energy. To date, there have been very few deployments in US waters, but the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Marine Sciences Laboratory is conducting research into the environmental impacts of such developments in order to enable the industry to grow. At one time, there were nine tidal projects being investigated within Puget Sound, and none of these has been taken forward. There were several reasons why these projects did not progress but one of the key factors was the cost of the environmental studies. Consequently, there is a need to identify what the key environmental questions are and therefore what studies should be undertaken to ensure the environment is properly protected, but that needless surveys (and costs) are avoided.
Over the next few years, multiple studies will be undertaken at MSL that concentrate on improving how environmental studies are performed to maximize the information collected. This will lead to reduced costs and a more effective knowledge of the issues and how they can be addressed. Ultimately, this will provide the industry with a reliable, effective and efficient toolbox of capabilities to identify and address environmental challenges associated with marine renewable energy.
This presentation will discuss the key issues that have been identified to date, and how targeted studies can help the fledgling industry grow within a highly dynamic area so that the Salish Sea can support and lead the development of renewable energy.
