Posters
Come meet the poster presenters to ask them questions and discuss their work
We would like to invite you to come and see the posters at our upcoming conference. The posters will showcase a diverse range of research topics, and will give delegates an opportunity to engage with the authors and learn more about their work. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or simply curious about the latest developments in your field, we believe that the posters will offer something of interest to everyone. So please join us at the conference and take advantage of this opportunity to learn and engage with your peers in industry and the academic community.
PO336: Underwater noise prediction of offshore energy devices: tidal and wind turbines
Laura Botero, Auxiliar Professor, Universidad Industrial de Santander
Abstract
Offshore energy resources, such as wind and tidal turbines, are promising alternatives for renewable energy generation due to the virtually unlimited availability of wind and tidal currents. However, their sustainable exploitation requires a careful evaluation of potential environmental impacts. One important, yet often overlooked, aspect is the aero/hydrodynamic noise generated by these devices. Marine animals rely heavily on sound for essential life functions, including feeding, communication, reproduction, navigation, and predator avoidance. Consequently, anthropogenic noise introduced by offshore energy devices may interfere with these behaviors, with implications for marine ecosystem health. This research presents a fast-turnaround yet accurate prediction method to estimate the underwater noise footprint of offshore wind and tidal turbines. The approach couples Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) with Amiet’s theory to model aerodynamic noise from turbulence interaction and trailing-edge mechanisms, treating each blade as a series of 2D segments. For offshore wind turbines, the method is further coupled with plane wave theory to account for sound transmission across the air–water interface. Case studies are conducted for a 5 MW offshore wind turbine and a 1 MW tidal turbine. Predicted noise spectra are compared with the hearing thresholds of representative marine species, including cetaceans, pinnipeds, salmon, and sharks. Results show that turbine noise exceeds hearing thresholds of marine mammals, suggesting potential masking of biologically relevant signals, while fish are less affected due to higher thresholds. Noise maps illustrate the frequency ranges and distances at which species are most exposed. Furthermore, scaling effects are analyzed by comparing noise radiation from single turbines with that from square and rectangular arrays. The proposed method provides a tool that can be integrated during turbine design and optimization, helping industry and policymakers to anticipate acoustic impacts and to guide the sustainable development of marine renewable energy.
No recording available for this poster.
