TY - JOUR
TI - A Review of Modeling Approaches for Understanding and Monitoring the Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy
AU - Buenau, K
AU - Garavelli, L
AU - Hemery, L
AU - Garcia Medina, G
T2 - Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
AB - Understanding the environmental effects of marine energy (ME) devices is fundamental for their sustainable development and efficient regulation. However, measuring effects is difficult given the limited number of operational devices currently deployed. Numerical modeling is a powerful tool for estimating environmental effects and quantifying risks. It is most effective when informed by empirical data and coordinated with the development and implementation of monitoring protocols. We reviewed modeling techniques and information needs for six environmental stressor–receptor interactions related to ME: changes in oceanographic systems, underwater noise, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), changes in habitat, collision risk, and displacement of marine animals. This review considers the effects of tidal, wave, and ocean current energy converters. We summarized the availability and maturity of models for each stressor–receptor interaction and provide examples involving ME devices when available and analogous examples otherwise. Models for oceanographic systems and underwater noise were widely available and sometimes applied to ME, but need validation in real-world settings. Many methods are available for modeling habitat change and displacement of marine animals, but few examples related to ME exist. Models of collision risk and species response to EMFs are still in stages of theory development and need more observational data, particularly about species behavior near devices, to be effective. We conclude by synthesizing model status, commonalities between models, and overlapping monitoring needs that can be exploited to develop a coordinated and efficient set of protocols for predicting and monitoring the environmental effects of ME.
DA - 2022/01//
PY - 2022
VL - 10
IS - 1
SP - 38
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/10/1/94
DO - 10.3390/jmse10010094
LA - English
KW - Marine Energy
KW - Ocean Current
KW - Tidal
KW - Wave
KW - Changes in Flow
KW - Collision
KW - Displacement
KW - EMF
KW - Habitat Change
KW - Noise
ER -