Hydrokinetic Turbine Effects on Fish Swimming Behaviour
Journal article, 2013

Hydrokinetic turbines, targeting the kinetic energy of fast-flowing currents, are under development with some turbines already deployed at ocean sites around the world. It remains virtually unknown as to how these technologies affect fish, and rotor collisions have been postulated as a major concern. In this study the effects of a vertical axis hydrokinetic rotor with rotational speeds up to 70 rpm were tested on the swimming patterns of naturally occurring fish in a subtropical tidal channel. Fish movements were recorded with and without the rotor in place. Results showed that no fish collided with the rotor and only a few specimens passed through rotor blades. Overall, fish reduced their movements through the area when the rotor was present. This deterrent effect on fish increased with current speed. Fish that passed the rotor avoided the near-field, about 0.3 m from the rotor for benthic reef fish. Large predatory fish were particularly cautious of the rotor and never moved closer than 1.7 m in current speeds above 0.6 ms-1. The effects of the rotor differed among taxa and feeding guilds and it is suggested that fish boldness and body shape influenced responses. In conclusion, the tested hydrokinetic turbine rotor proved non-hazardous to fish during the investigated conditions. However, the results indicate that arrays comprising multiple turbines may restrict fish movements, particularly for large species, with possible effects on habitat connectivity if migration routes are exploited. Arrays of the investigated turbine type and comparable systems should therefore be designed with gaps of several metres width to allow large fish to pass through. In combination with further research the insights from this study can be used for guiding the design of hydrokinetic turbine arrays where needed, so preventing ecological impacts.

environmental impact

fish

hydrokinetic turbine

Tidal power

underwater video

Mozambique

Author

Linus Hammar

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Environmental Systems Analysis

Sandra Andersson

Marine Monitoring AB

Linda Eggertsen

Stockholm University

Johan Haglund

Stockholm University

Martin Gullström

Stockholm University

Jimmy Ehnberg

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Electric Power Engineering

Sverker Molander

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Environmental Systems Analysis

PLoS ONE

1932-6203 (ISSN) 19326203 (eISSN)

Vol. 8 12 artikel nr e84141- e84141

Subject Categories

Ecology

Biological Sciences

Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0084141

More information

Latest update

3/1/2018 7