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Enhancing Underwater Acoustic Monitoring for Renewable Energy Projects

This joint project by Scientific Solutions, Inc. and the Ocean Renewable Power Company aims to advance active acoustic monitoring (AAM) technologies crucial for marine and hydrokinetic energy projects. Key objectives include ensuring the safety of marine life around hydro-turbines and wind farms, while effectively tracking debris that may endanger structures. Employing a network of cost-effective sonar nodes, the initiative focuses on developing reliable detection, tracking, and classification systems within challenging oceanic environments, demonstrating successful technology application in Cobscook Bay, Maine.

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Enhancing Underwater Acoustic Monitoring for Renewable Energy Projects

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  1. Water Power Peer Review Dr. Peter J. Stein Scientific Solutions, Inc. pstein@scisol.com, November 2, 2011 A joint project being conducted with the Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) Underwater Active Acoustic Monitoring (AAM) Network for Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Projects

  2. Purpose, Objectives, & Integration • The intent of this project is to advance active acoustic monitoring (AAM) of the underwater environment around marine renewable energy projects. • High probability of detection, localization, tracking, and classification of underwater objects at a reasonable cost is required to implement many offshore renewable energy projects. Examples are: • Demonstrating the lack of harm to marine mammals and fish by hydro-turbines • Preventing harm to marine mammals during hydro-turbine operation • Preventing harm to marine mammals during wind farm construction • Tracking floating debris that might result in structural damage to hydro-turbines • Demonstration of this technology will be accomplished in part by integrating a prototype system with the ORPC TidGenTM installation in Cobscook Bay, Maine

  3. Technical Approach • The primary technical approach is to adapt the Swimmer Detection Sonar Network (SDSN) developed by SSI for use by the marine hydrokinetic (MHK) energy industry • An effective AAM for offshore renewable energy applications has basically the same requirements as swimmer detection sonar -- Automatic detection, tracking, localization, and classification of low target strength objects in a shallow water harbor environment • Swimmer detection sonar systems are fairly well developed, however most are very expensive and classification is still an issue • SSI has been working since 2002 to develop a cost effective swimmer detection sonar system based on networking simple inexpensive sonar “nodes” • The SSI/ORPC AAM program is based on leveraging the on-going SDSN development • The key issues being addressed are: • Operation in a high current environment • Adverse effects on marine mammals due to the sound transmission • Altering the signal processing for tracking and classification of marine mammals, fish, and floating debris

  4. Swimmer Detection Sonar Network

  5. Next Generation Node This version of the G2 node operates from 45-75 kHz

  6. Next Generation Node for DOE This version of the G2 node operates from 90-120 kHz • Design work started for DoD application where transmit frequency is limited to above 90 kHz • Electronics the same as 45-75 kHz version with minor component changes • Transducers designed and tested under a DoD effort • Balances “marine mammal friendliness” with detection range • Node is now fully designed and ready for fabrication • Significant integration software work has been performed and continues

  7. AAM Installation Near TidGenTM Unit • Planned to be co-located with SIMRAD imaging sonar • AAM system locates and tracks • Imaging sonar identifies • At this point we cannot afford to build a full rosette of 20 nodes • Planning on a 6 node installation

  8. Plan, Schedule, & Budget Schedule • Initiation date: 9/1/2010 • Planned completion date: 9/30/2012 • NEPA review has resulted in delays • Milestones for FY11 has been to complete the design and integration. This is indeed substantially complete and we are ready to build the nodes. • We are currently holding pending resolution of the NEPA issues. With submittal of the ORPC FERC application we expect this to be resolved in the next few months Budget: • Extent of software integration required, transducers, and delays have escalated the costs. We can only build 6 nodes. However, this will still allow us to meet the program objectives.

  9. Accomplishments and Results • High frequency G2 node design complete • Integration of G2 node into SDSN system near completion • Detection and tracking tests successfully conducted in Cobscook Bay using the G2 hardware • Ready for fabrication once NEPA issues have been resolved • The SDSN technology appears to work in the high-current environment of Cobscook Bay. The potential for problems in this environment was a high risk for the program

  10. Testing in Cobscook Bay

  11. Existing nodes on ORPC Beta Unit

  12. Test Targets • Two targets: • TS = -5 to +5 dB re 1 m (mid-size whale) • TS = -20 to -15 dB sphere (small odonocete/pinneped)

  13. Tracking small target

  14. G2LF and G2HF Node Testing

  15. G2 HF Node Tracking Large Target • Range is 500m, 100m range arcs. • Demonstrates tracking of the large target out to 500 m

  16. Challenges to Date • Settling the NEPA issues and permitting in general • We have decided not to apply for 24/7 operation • Would require and EA and additional studies • Wait until technology more developed and proven • Will rely on Letter of Concurrence (LOC) already issued by NOAA for 40 hours of operation per month • Demonstrating effectiveness of SDSN technology in a high current environment • Eventually the largest challenge will be classification of objects • Potentially aided by near-field imaging sonar being deployed by U. Maine in conjunction with ORPC

  17. Next Steps • Fabricate and install 6 nodes in Cobscook Bay along with ORPC TidGenTM unit • Installation in Spring 2012 • Acquire data and develop signal processing as time and funding permits • Project completion in September 2012

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