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Water Power Peer Review. Steve Kopf, Program Manager. Pacific Energy Ventures, LLC skopf@peventuresllc.com (484) 459-8200 November 1, 2011. Active Acoustic Deterrence of Migratory Whales. Gray Whales 101.
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Water Power Peer Review Steve Kopf, Program Manager Pacific Energy Ventures, LLC skopf@peventuresllc.com (484) 459-8200 November 1, 2011 Active Acoustic Deterrence of Migratory Whales
Gray Whales 101 Collision/Entanglement Risk: 20,000 whales x 2 trips per year x 20,000 lb/whale = A lot of blubber!
Purpose, Objectives, & Integration Challenges, Barriers and Knowledge Gaps • Potential Environmental Effect: Collision/entanglement w/mooring lines • Baseline Data Gap: Migratory paths of Gray Whales (OWET 2008) • Behavior Data Gap: Gray Whale Response to Acoustic Deterrence Migration Route for Eastern Pacific Gray Whales Southbound Jan 13 – Feb 25, 2008 Phase A of Northbound Feb 26 - Apr 10, 2008 Phase B of Northbound Apr 11 – May 29, 2008
Purpose, Objectives, & Integration Alignment to Program’s Mission and Objectives • Acceleration of clean, affordable energy generation that is both economically viable and environmental responsible. • Provides mitigation technology for potential show stopper. Integration with Other Programs • Planning and Assessment Framework: ww.advancedH2Opower.com • OWET Baseline Study: www.oregonwave.org
Technical Approach Project Objectiveand Technical Approach • Project Objective:Test the effectiveness of an acoustic deterrent mechanism in deflecting migratory gray whales around wave energy structures. • Technical Approach: Intermittently operate acoustic deterrence device at Yaquina head and measure behavioral response changes using the same theodolite tracking methodology used for the 2008 baseline study. Key Issues To Be Addressed and Their Significance • Effectiveness of Deterrence: The test will verify the effectiveness of an acoustic signal to ‘nudge’ whales from a project area. Significance – validates mitigation approach IF mitigation is required Unique Aspects of Approach • Collaborative effort between OSU/MMI and PEV • Leverages more than $300K in previous OWET funding
Technical Approach • Deterrence device deployed in 45-m water depth – operates intermittently. • Research team positioned at base of Yaquina Head Light. • Spotter initiates contact with binoculars and relays approximate position to Theodolite operator • Theodolite measures inclination and distance to target. • Computer calculates position and predicts next surfacing. • Data analyzed to compare statistical presence at 500m and 2 km from sound source.
Technical Approach • Sound Projector located approximately mid-water • 400kg Mellinger Lander Anchor • Batteries and electronics located on anchor • Rechargeable battery • Sound Level 170dB at source • 1 sec pulse per minute for 6 hours per day • Surface marker with Carmanah light per USCG PATON regs
Plan, Schedule, & Budget Schedule • Initiation date: September 1, 2009 • Missed 2009/2010 migration due to contract and NOAA permit delays. • Missed 2010/2011 migration due to equipment failure. • Ready to go for 2011/2012 migration! • Planned completion date: October 2012 Major Milestones • Task 1 Permits – All Permits Received - November 2010 • Task 2 Research – Acoustic Device (rev 2) Complete – October 2011 • Task 2 Research – Data collection – late Dec 2011 or early Jan 2012 Budget • No variances at this time. OSU able to absorb equipment replacement cost • Estimated Expended Budget to Date: $333,537
Accomplishments and Results Task 1 – Permits • Received Oregon Department of State Land’s Short Term Access Agreement on 9/30/2010. • Received Army Corps of Engineers permit on 10/26/2010. • Received NOAA Level B harassment permit on 11/1/2010. • Received Oregon State University’s Animal Care and Use Permit on 11/17/2010. • Received Letter of authorization from the United States Coast Guard in lieu of the Private Aid to Navigation on 11/18/2010 after providing more detail on the specific navigation light that was selected. Copies of Permits have been posted to the MHK KnowledgeBaseat: http://www.advancedh2opower.com/whale/Site%20Pages/Permits.aspx Status: Milestone is Complete – all permits received! et
Accomplishments and Results Task 2 – Research • Deployed first generation device – no data collected as a result of a structural failure – January 2011 • Conducted failure mode analysis of first generation electronic enclosure – February 2011 • Redesigned electronics and enclosure – June 2011 • Fabricated sound source and electronics – October 2011 • Completed bench testing of sound source – October 2011 Status: Task is on schedule and budget per revised plan. et
Challenge/Resolution Electronics Enclosure • Challenge – Reliability of electronics enclosure (failed on first deployment) • Resolution – Redesign enclosure and pressure testing prior to deployment. Weather • Challenge – Initial deployment and observation limited • Resolution –Hope for sunny skis and fair seas!
Next Steps Task 2 – Research • Proof Testing of Electronics Enclosure w/o electronics – October 2011 • Proof testing of electronics enclosure w/electronics – October 2011 • Train observation staff – December 2011 • Deploy device – late December 2011 or early January 2012 • Challenge – Need weather window • Collect Data – through end of May 2012 • Analyze Data – Summer 2012 Task 2 – Deployment of Device • Present results at OWET conference – September 2012 • Publish Final Report – October 2012 Future Scope • Develop device to be integrated with WEC array and SCADA system (TRL 7/8)