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It is hoped the technique could provide a simple, effective way to identify locations for underwater tidal turbines which will reduce costs for renewable energy developers and generate opportunities for developing countries. Current methods for measuring tidal streams rely on using survey vessels or installing seabed sensors which can be time consuming and expensive.
Dr Benjamin Williamson, a scientist at North Highlands College UHI’s Environmental Research Institute in Thurso, is leading the 12-month project along with colleagues from Swansea University and Bangor University in Wales. The team will run tests in the Pentland Firth in Scotland and the Ramsey Sound in Wales in various weather conditions.
5th March 2021 11:52 am 5th March 2021 3:31 pm
Scientists in Scotland and Wales are trialling a new method of measuring tidal currents using drones, aiming to ‘revolutionise’ marine renewable energy.
Led by researchers from the University of the Highlands and Islands, the project will use drones to film the movement of water then apply algorithms to determine its speed.
The team believes that the technique could provide a simple solution for identifying locations for underwater tidal turbines, reducing costs for renewable energy developers and generating opportunities for developing countries.
Current methods for measuring tidal streams rely on using survey vessels or installing seabed sensors, which can be time consuming and expensive.
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Scientist at UHI s Environmental Research Institute in Thurso leads project into how drone technology could help marine renewables By Calum MacLeod Published: 07:20, 03 March 2021
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Drones will be used to capture data in hard to access areas.
A team led by a researcher in Thurso is looking at how drone technology can be used to measure tidal currents to help revolutionise marine renewables.
It is hoped that the pilot project could lead to a simple, effective way to identify locations for underwater tidal turbines, reducing costs for renewable energy developers and generating opportunities for developing countries.
Airborne drones could soon discover ideal spots for tidal energy projects energylivenews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from energylivenews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
RESEARCHERS from Scotland and Wales are hoping to revolutionise the marine renewables sector with a new method of measuring tidal currents using drones. The project, being led by the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), will use the aircraft to film the movement of water before applying algorithms to determine its speed. UHI, along with Swansea and Bangor universities in Wales, hopes the technique will provide a simple and effective way to identify locations for underwater tidal turbines, reducing costs for renewable energy developers and generating opportunities for developing countries. Tidal stream measurement currently relies on the use of survey vessels or installation of seabed sensors which can be time consuming and expensive.