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Hydrokinetic turbine effects on fish swimming behaviour
Linus Hammar1, Sandra Andersson2, Linda Eggertsen3
1Department of Energy and Environment, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Plos One
|December 21, 2013
Summary
Hydrokinetic turbines did not harm fish in this study, though fish avoided the rotors. Multiple turbines may impede fish movement, necessitating wider gaps in future designs to maintain habitat connectivity.
Area of Science:
- Marine engineering
- Ecological impact assessment
- Renewable energy technology
Background:
- Hydrokinetic turbines harness energy from ocean currents.
- Potential impacts on fish, especially rotor collisions, are poorly understood.
- Understanding fish behavior around turbines is crucial for sustainable deployment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a vertical axis hydrokinetic rotor on fish behavior.
- To assess collision risks and behavioral deterrent effects.
- To inform the design of hydrokinetic turbine arrays to minimize ecological impact.
Main Methods:
- Recorded fish movements in a tidal channel with and without a hydrokinetic rotor.
- Observed fish behavior at various rotational speeds (up to 70 rpm) and current speeds.
- Analyzed fish avoidance distances and passage rates through the rotor area.
Main Results:
- No fish collisions with the rotor were observed.
- Fish exhibited reduced movement in the vicinity of the rotor, with avoidance increasing with current speed.
- Different fish taxa and feeding guilds showed varied responses, influenced by boldness and body shape.
Conclusions:
- The tested hydrokinetic turbine rotor was non-hazardous to fish under the studied conditions.
- Arrays of turbines could restrict fish movement, potentially affecting habitat connectivity.
- Future hydrokinetic turbine array designs should incorporate wider gaps to facilitate passage for larger fish and maintain ecological connectivity.
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