SEPTEMBER 2023

From Ask Triton: Anthropogenic Light Research

Anthropogenic light affecting marine ecosystems can have many sources, including vessels, buildings, bridges, roads, and other marine infrastructure. (Photo by Garrett Patz)

The Triton team recently received an “Ask Triton!” question about anthropogenic light: Can you share more about anthropogenic light as a new potential stressor of concern for the marine energy industry? 

Anthropogenic light—or human-introduced light from sources such as vessels, bridges, or roads—is an essential element of the engineered marine environment that can affect the behavior and physiology of marine species and seabirds. At marine energy deployment scales of large arrays, anthropogenic light could be a potential concern for photosensitive marine wildlife in coastal and offshore habitats where ecosystem dynamics can be complex and potentially impacted by novel stimuli. As the marine energy industry advances, and devices are deployed in larger arrays, they will require more navigational hazard lighting for marine safety than single device tests, introducing considerably more light in habitats that would otherwise remain naturally dark.

From 2021–2022, Triton partnered with lighting experts at Solid State Lighting Services, Inc. to investigate potential interactions of animals and light associated with marine energy devices. This research led to the development of recommendations to the marine energy industry on ways to reduce light impacts on local wildlife populations while still maintaining the necessary safety and navigation requirements. The recommendations were published in a peer-reviewed paper in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering titled “Minimizing Ecological Impacts of Marine Energy Lighting.”

Researchers from Solid State Lighting Services also traveled to Newport, Oregon, to assess light levels near the PacWave test site prior to test deployments of wave energy devices. Their observations indicated that the site has almost pristine levels of darkness. The baseline light levels can be compared to future light measurements taken from the exact same site, orientation, and elevation to measure changes in light levels at the sea surface during wave energy converter testing activities at PacWave.

Learn more about Triton’s anthropogenic light research:
•   Triton Webpage: Anthropogenic light
•   Triton Talks Webinar: Underwater Noise & Anthropogenic Light Research
•   Triton Story: Does Light Affect Underwater Wildlife?

Submit a question for Triton!

In Other Energy News

Oscilla Power Completes Launch at Hawai’i Wave Energy Test Site

The Triton-C prepares for deployment at the Hawai’i Wave Energy Test Site. (Photo courtesy Oscilla Power, Inc.)

Oscilla Power Inc.’s wave energy converter—the Triton-C—has completed a big step in its journey to make ocean wave energy a cost-effective resource. In late August, the Triton-C was towed from Honolulu to the grid connection location at the Hawai’i Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) in Kaneohe Bay, Hawai’i where the Triton-C will eventually be tethered for a full-scale demonstration. From this location, Oscilla Power can take advantage of ideal wave conditions and weather windows for testing and installation. In the meantime, the device will undergo a series of preparatory activities in advance of full power performance tests in the coming months. This is a big step for full-scale testing of wave energy devices in the United States. Triton has been coordinating with Oscilla to measure acoustic particle motion around the Triton-C wave energy converter during full-scale testing. These tests will help to advance and learn more about these new types of acoustic measurements and sound emissions from wave energy converters. 

Read more about the Oscilla Power launch and take a look at this video that captures the tow in action!

Story: The Future is Floating 

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) recently released a story about the laboratory’s partnership with the PelaStar floating offshore wind platform. The PelaStar was a winner of the Department of Energy (DOE) FLoating Offshore Wind ReadINess (FLOWIN) Prize, a unique challenge funded by the DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office to address supply chain issues impacting progress for the floating offshore wind industry. This device aims to help lower the cost of energy and operating costs for floating offshore wind generation, all while minimizing environmental impacts and supporting local workforces. In this partnership, PNNL will work with the PelaStar team to identify suitable locations for assembly and deployment of the device and determine solutions for meeting workforce needs.

Read the story.

SEER Webinar on Environmental Considerations Offshore Wind 

PNNL and National Renewable Energy Laboratory jointly lead the U.S. Offshore Wind Synthesis of Environmental Effects Research (SEER) project, a multi-year collaborative effort designed to facilitate knowledge transfer for offshore wind environmental research around the world. A four-part, free webinar series was developed as part of this effort. 

This fourth webinar, which took place on September 13, highlighted environmental considerations needed for the development of offshore wind energy and its potential effects on nearshore ecosystems, including effects from cable landfall, navigation, and port development. SEER aims to share the latest research on the potential environmental effects of offshore wind energy development, including minimization and monitoring strategies, many of which are relevant for the marine energy industry. 

View the recorded webinar.

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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 Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office.

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