Project assesses impact of wave energy conversion noise

The project is claimed to be the first to utilise real-time streaming analytics for monitoring underwater noise generated by wave energy conversion devices and is a possible step towards ensuring the environmental sustainability of using this renewable energy resource.

The environmental impact of collecting renewable energy generated in the ocean is not fully understood. While underwater noise limits have been established by the European Union’s (EU’s) marine environmental policy, there are no established global standards for the noise impact of wave energy collection devices on the marine ecosystem and noise emissions from these devices have not been assessed.  

The project seeks to accelerate methods and technologies that enable the environmental impact assessment of these devices to ensure an environmentally friendly, sustainable approach to wave energy collection.

‘Underwater noise is a global environmental issue that has to be addressed if we are to take advantage of the huge potential of ocean energy,’ said EU commissioner for research, innovation and science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.