Past Research

Triton Field Trials 

The Triton Field Trials (TFiT) advanced knowledge of potential environmental impacts associated with marine energy devices by researching and providing recommendations for environmental monitoring technologies and procedures to the marine energy industry. Results and recommendations were published in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering special issue titled “Technology and Methods for Environmental Monitoring of Marine Renewable Energy.” TFiT’s primary research focus was to address the main stressors of concern as identified in the “2020 OES-Environmental State of the Science Report.” TFiT research topics include:   

The TFiT research sparked an analysis of spatio-temporal considerations for environmental monitoring, life-cycle assessments for marine energy, and how communications can support marine energy projects. As part of TFiT, anthropogenic light in the marine environment was also identified as a potential stressor for arrays of marine energy devices that could be proactively addressed and mitigated. Learn more here.   
 

Triton Field Trials stressor graphic.
Triton studies potential impacts of marine energy devices on the environment, including specific stressors—including changes in habitats, underwater noise, collision risk, and electromagnetic fields—and how receptors, such as marine animals, interact with those stressors. (Illustration by Stephanie King | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) 

Support of Department of Energy-funded technology development projects 

Triton works with project awardees funded through a Department of Energy funding opportunity announcement to support the development of innovative environmental monitoring technologies and advance their technical readiness level for in-water deployment. Projects include:  

Fish Mesocosm Study  

The Fish Mesocosm Study was a collaboration between PNNL, the University of Washington, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the University of Maine. The purpose of the study was to quantify fish interactions with tidal turbines and to observe their behavior around devices in a controlled, field environment. During the pilot study, researchers used a third-generation, adaptable monitoring package developed by the University of Washington to record movements of tagged fish in Sequim Bay. The package was equipped with sonar, acoustic cameras, hydrophones, and a classification system. Study results verified a low probability of fish interaction with this device.  

Hydrophone being deployed in Sequim Bay.
The Triton team testing hydrophone sensors in Sequim Bay, Washington. (Photo by Shanon Dell | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

Research topics

Marine Energy
Environmental Monitoring for Marine Energy