water power peer review

1 | Program Name or Ancillary Text eere.energy.gov

Water Power Peer Review

Underwater Active Acoustic Monitoring (AAM) Network for Marine

and Hydrokinetic Energy Projects

Dr. Peter J. Stein

Scientific Solutions, Inc. [email protected],November 2, 2011

A joint project being conducted with the Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC)

2 | Wind and Water Power Program eere.energy.gov

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


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


Swimmer Detection Sonar Network

Tracker Data Archiver

C2 ManagerBIT ServerTiming

Manager

NCASP 1

TSJBManager

SonarNode

1

HMI

AncillaryInfrastructure

Services

WaterfallData

Archiver

NCASP 2

SonarNode

2

NCASP N

SonarNode

N

HDS API Enabled Hardware

Other Hardware

Legend:


Next Generation Node

This version of the G2 node operates from 45-75 kHz


Next Generation Node for DOE

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

This version of the G2 node operates from 90-120 kHz


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


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.

Budget History

FY2009 FY2011 FY2012

DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share

0 0 $400k $240k $200k $160k


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


Testing in Cobscook Bay


Existing nodes on ORPC Beta Unit


Test Targets

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


Tracking small target


G2LF and G2HF Node Testing


G2 HF Node Tracking Large Target

Range is 500m, 100m range arcs.

Demonstrates tracking of the large target out to 500 m


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


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

water power peer review

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