Case studies - Tidal turbines
TIDAL TURBINE TECHNOLOGY has been identified as a key renewable energy source for the future. The Northern Ireland government has recognised the potential of the technology and is keen to support it to a stage where arrays of turbines can ultimately be deployed in the open sea.
The experimental system deployed at Strangford Lough on the east coast of County Down comprises two turbines mounted either side of a monopole structure.
They work rather like under-water windmills, but in this case driven by strong water currents. Operator, Marine Current Turbines, recognised the huge environmental responsibility of deploying its Seagen device in a highly sensitive site and undertook baseline monitoring over three years to assess the impact on seabed habitats.
This included a special assessment of the impact on the seal population which involved tagging and monitoring of individual seals.
