Key Terms
Stressor: Components or structures of an ocean energy technology that can interact with or affect aquatic animals, habitats or ecosystem processes.
- Chemical Leaching - An acute spill or chronic release of chemicals over time.
- EMF - An electromagnetic field created by undersea cables.
- Energy Removal - Changes in water could remove energy from the system.
- Physical Presence - Can be classified as the static presence of the device or the dynamic presence of moving parts.
- Noise - Sounds created during construction and operation of device.
Receptors: Marine and avian organisms, habitats or ecosystem processes, that may be affected by the presence or operation of ocean energy devices.
- Birds - Seabirds foraging or roosting in the vicinity of the device or migrating birds passing by the device.
- Invertebrates - A broad term that encompasses cephalopods (squid, octopus), crustaceans (crabs, shrimp), molluscs (clams, barnacles), and various other benthic organisms.
- Fish - Resident fish living near the device and migratory fish passing through the area.
- Marine Mammals - A broad term that encompasses pinnipeds (seals, sea lions), cetaceans (dolphins and whales) and sea otters.
- Reptiles - The only reptiles that may interact with devices are sea turtles
- Farfield Environment - The large-scale effects of a device beyond those affecting the direct site.
- Nearfield Habitat - The physical environment surrounding a device.
- Socio-economics - The effects on the local society and economy.
Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Development: The act of harnessing naturally occurring renewable energy in the ocean to generate electricity.
- MHK - Generic term that applies to all 'Marine and Hydrokinetic' energy.
- In-Stream Energy - The flow of the river is captured with either dams or independent turbines.
- Ocean Current Energy - Capturing oceanic currents with turbines.
- Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion - Utilizing temperature gradients in deep oceans to generate electricity.
- Tidal Energy - Capturing tidal fluctuations with turbines, tidal barrages, or tidal lagoons.
- Wave Energy - Capturing energy from waves with a point absorber buoy, surface attenuator, oscillating water column, or overtopping device.
Offshore Wind Energy Development: Harnessing wind energy offshore; either in fresh or saltwater environments.
- Monopile Foundation (0-30 m depth) - A steel pile is driven into the seabed.
- Gravity Foundation (0-30 m depth) - A heavy concrete or steel base is set on the seabed.
- Tripod Fixed Bottom (20-80 m depth) - A technology that is borrowed from the oil and gas industry, where three connected piles are driven into the seabed.
- Floating Structure (40-900 m depth) - The turbines are moored to the seabed and stabilized with either buoyancy principles or a ballast.
Acronyms
AIS: Automatic Identification System
DOE: United States Department of Energy
EA: Environmental Assessment
EIS: Environmental Impact Statement
EMF: Electromagnetic Field
ERES: Environmental Risk Evaluation System
FAD: Fish Aggregating Device
FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
GIS: Geographic Information Service
MHK: Marine and Hydrokinetic
MW: Megawatt
NOAA: National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
OSW: Offshore Wind
OTEC: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
OWC: Oscillating Water Column
PNNL: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
S-R: Stressor-Receptor
SEA: Strategic Environmental Assessment
T&E: Threatened and Endangered Species
USCG: United States Coast Guard
USFWS: United States Fish and Wildlife Service
WEC: Wave Energy Converter
