Wave Hub baseline study

Lead Research Organisation: Plymouth University
Department Name: Sch of Marine Science & Engineering

Abstract

See lead document (PML)

Publications

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Description As a result of this funding we have improved our understanding of the southern Celtic Sea which encompasses the north Cornwall and Devon coasts and essentially is impacted by the development of the WaveHub 10 km offshore of St. Ives. The WaveHub has the potential to impact on regional dynamics as a direct result of the extraction of wave energy. In order to assess the extent to which this is the case, it was crucial to establish a picture of the regional oceanography before energy extraction occurs. As devices have begun to be deployed, we have achieved this in a particularly difficult region to undertake research at sea due to inhospitable conditions.
Exploitation Route Our findings are of direct relevance to the device developers who are deploying their wave energy convertors at the WaveHub. As we publish our findings over the next couple of years, we will engage with WaveHub (with who we already have close connections through PRIMARe) to disseminate our findings to the marine renewable energy community.
Sectors Energy,Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism
 
Title Wave Hub baseline dataset 
Description A comprehensive data set of physical and biological variables were collected during fieldwork at the WaveHub site in the southern Celtic Sea during May 2012. Among the data collected were 4 complete semidiurnal tidal microstructure stations during which dissipation rates of turbulent kinetic energy and related variables were repeatedly measured. An off-shore transect that passed through the Wave Hub site was conducted during which vertical CTD profiles were completed and water samples collected. Subsequent analysis of the water samples estimated the nutrient concentration and zooplankton abundance. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The impact will more completely realised as we publish the results from this study (currently under preparation) and provide essential information regarding the southern Celtic Sea in the vicinity of the WaveHub. 
 
Description Memorandum of Understanding 
Organisation Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The MoU signed in February 2014 between Plymouth University and Plymouth Marine Laboratory arose as a result of the collaboration between a number of scientists. The highlighted project was stated as the work conducted at WaveHub by Hosegood and Torres, completed in the Wavehub Baseline Monitoring grant and Hosegood's NI grant, Assessing the sensitivity of marginally stratified shelf seas in a changing climate. Through our work in this area, we have established and consolidated links between the two institutions in an area in which there was previously no exchange. The work was recognised by an invitation to present our work at the formal dinner marking the MoU.
Collaborator Contribution My partners have contributed to the development of the MoU by actively engaging in the collaborative research and providing additional opportunities for researchers and students at Plymouth University by making available the output from the FVCOM numerical model, developed at PML with the aim of improving understanding of the region. The model complements the in-situ observations made during the two projects and substantially enhances our ability to gain insight into the regional dynamics and further impacts of marine renewables.
Impact Outcomes are to include future funding proposals and are currently being discussed. Hosegood and Torres submitted a paper based on Torres' work on the NERC ICON project, and constitutes a collaboration that would not have arisen had this partnership not been formalised. The paper is in review but should shortly be accepted. The collaboration is multidisciplinary and encompasses physics, biogeochemistry and air-sea gas exchange.
Start Year 2010