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Characteristics of the Operational Noise from Full Scale Wave Energy Converters in the Lysekil Project: Estimation of Potential Environmental Impacts

Author

Listed:
  • Kalle Haikonen

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 534, Uppsala 751 25, Sweden)

  • Jan Sundberg

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 534, Uppsala 751 25, Sweden)

  • Mats Leijon

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 534, Uppsala 751 25, Sweden)

Abstract

Wave energy conversion is a clean electric power production technology. During operation there are no emissions in the form of harmful gases. However there are unsolved issues considering environmental impacts such as: electromagnetism; the artificial reef effect and underwater noise. Anthropogenic noise is increasing in the oceans worldwide and wave power will contribute to this sound pollution in the oceans; but to what extent? The main purpose of this study was to examine the noise emitted by a full scale operating Wave Energy Converter (WEC) in the Lysekil project at Uppsala University in Sweden. A minor review of the hearing capabilities of fish and marine mammals is presented to aid in the conclusions of impact from anthropogenic sound. A hydrophone was deployed to the seabed in the Lysekil research site park at distance of 20 and 40 m away from two operational WECs. The measurements were performed in the spring of 2011. The results showed that the main noise was a transient noise with most of its energy in frequencies below 1 kHz. These results indicate that several marine organisms (fish and mammals) will be able to hear the operating WECs of a distance of at least 20 m.

Suggested Citation

  • Kalle Haikonen & Jan Sundberg & Mats Leijon, 2013. "Characteristics of the Operational Noise from Full Scale Wave Energy Converters in the Lysekil Project: Estimation of Potential Environmental Impacts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(5), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:6:y:2013:i:5:p:2562-2582:d:25828
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Waters, Rafael & Engström, Jens & Isberg, Jan & Leijon, Mats, 2009. "Wave climate off the Swedish west coast," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 1600-1606.
    2. Kofoed, Jens Peter & Frigaard, Peter & Friis-Madsen, Erik & Sørensen, Hans Chr., 2006. "Prototype testing of the wave energy converter wave dragon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 181-189.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Jennifer Leijon & Jonathan Sjölund & Boel Ekergård & Cecilia Boström & Sandra Eriksson & Irina Temiz & Mats Leijon, 2017. "Study of an Altered Magnetic Circuit of a Permanent Magnet Linear Generator for Wave Power," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Galparsoro, I. & Korta, M. & Subirana, I. & Borja, Á. & Menchaca, I. & Solaun, O. & Muxika, I. & Iglesias, G. & Bald, J., 2021. "A new framework and tool for ecological risk assessment of wave energy converters projects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
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    6. Hammar, Linus & Gullström, Martin & Dahlgren, Thomas G. & Asplund, Maria E. & Goncalves, Ines Braga & Molander, Sverker, 2017. "Introducing ocean energy industries to a busy marine environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 178-185.

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