Researchers deploy a 360-degree camera off the coast of California to study the effects of marine energy devices on habitat during the Triton Field Trials. (Photo by Alicia Amerson | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
For the past four years, the Triton Field Trials (TFiT) have evaluated and field-tested commercially available sensors and technologies used to monitor environmental concerns for marine energy regulators. This effort is important to promote consistent environmental data collection and analysis methods that enable data transferability. Recently, TFiT culminated in the publication of 10 peer-reviewed research papers in a special issue of the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering that is the first large-scale set of environmental monitoring methodology recommendations for the marine energy industry produced from field tests in the United States. “Triton Field Trials demonstrates the need for environmental monitoring data collected in the future to be done consistently and transparently for the benefit of all," explained Triton marine scientist Alicia Amerson. Dive deeper into the research with the latest Triton Story.
FIELD NOTES: SURROGATE TESTS AT PNNL-SEQUIM
Triton researchers Joe Haxel, Alicia Amerson, and Alex Barker deploy a surrogate in the shape of a whale in Sequim Bay, WA. (Photo by Shanon Dell | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory).
This year, Triton launched the Marine Wildlife Detection and Tracking project to test aerial monitoring systems for at-sea deployment to track and monitor marine animals. The project will test a multispectral sensor technology that captures images that will be used to detect wildlife in water. The sensor will be attached to a tethered balloon system deployed up to 1,000 feet in the air. Tethered balloons are often used to deploy sensors for climate and atmospheric monitoring and provide longer deployment periods compared with drone technology’s short battery lifespan. Adapting this technology for capturing aerial images of marine wildlife at sea will provide a new opportunity to understand their behavior. Triton researchers developed surrogate whale and seal targets to test these technologies and recently conducted a validation test at PNNL-Sequim to assess the surrogate design and functionality. In the fall, Triton will collaborate with Sandia National Laboratories to test the surrogates in the field by towing them behind a boat while the tethered balloon system equipped with the multispectral camera is deployed. These data will be used to calibrate sensors and aid in development of tools, such as machine learning, that will support the detection and tracking of marine wildlife near marine energy devices.
TRITON NEWS
Triton Talks Webinar: Underwater Noise and Anthropogenic Light
On July 27, Triton is hosting an hour-long webinar covering two important marine energy environmental monitoring topics: underwater noise and anthropogenic light. Join Triton marine scientist and principal investigator Joe Haxel as he discusses the Triton Field Trials underwater noise research and shares recommendations for monitoring acoustic signals at multiple marine energy sites. Joining Joe will be Triton marine scientist Alicia Amerson and lighting scientist Morgan Pattison from Solid State Light Services, Inc. The trio will discuss their review on anthropogenic light impacts associated with marine energy applications and recommendations for mitigation strategies. Join us to learn more and participate in a discussion about their recent research.
Upcoming Triton Talks Webinar: Habitat Changes and More
Mark your calendars! On September 1 at 11 a.m. PT, Triton Talks will discuss the Triton Field Trials changes in habitat research and marine energy sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and life cycle assessment next steps.
Have you missed a Triton Talks webinar? Check out the recorded webinars.
What would you like to hear about next? Suggest a webinar topic to our team at tritonmre@pnnl.gov.
IN OTHER MARINE ENERGY NEWS
OES-Environmental created a brochure to provide an overview of the environmental effects of marine energy development. The goal of the brochure is to familiarize readers with the latest scientific information on the potential impacts of installation and operation of marine energy devices. The brochure also aims to introduce environmental effects to those who are new to the industry by providing a condensed version of material from the 2020 State of the Science report. View the brochure.
Triton is designed to support the development and testing of more precise and cost-effective environmental monitoring technologies for marine energy. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory leads Triton on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office.
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