Renewable Energy

The development of ‘wet’ marine renewable energy technologies such as tidal and wave systems is continuing to increase in prominence and pace in line with national and international targets for carbon emission reductions.  SMRU Ltd has been involved in tidal renewable technologies from an early stage and we provide ongoing advice to technology and project developers as well as test sites.

SMRU Ltd is also leading the development of sonar and passive acoustic technologies, as well as the interpretation of outputs from these tools, to provide real time mitigation options for underwater systems such as tidal turbines.  Our experience in underwater impact assessments combined with our instrumentation expertise provides clients with a world leading service that will assist them at every turn to ensure projects are consented efficiently.  Our scientific rigour and gravitas ensures that the solutions we devise are justifiable and robust, suitable for implementation on a sustainable basis in such a rapidly developing industry.

Our services to the renewables sector are varied and significant, and can be seen as a vital component in securing permissions as well as demonstrating Corporate Responsibility in the long term development of this sector.  These include:

• Expert advice and witness for EIAs
• Project management of marine mammal impacts advice
• Design, implementation and analysis of wildlife surveys, in particular marine mammals using techniques such as:
• Visual observers (e.g. distance sampling, standardised observer methods)
• Photo ID studies
• Passive acoustics
• Active acoustics (sonar)
  
• Advice on marine mammal interactions with novel technologies
  
• Development of bespoke monitoring and mitigation tools